What Medical Practices Need to Know
Most medical practices know HIPAA rules around patient records. But many overlook how easily violations can happen online—on websites, social media, or even reviews.
The Risks
- Online reviews/comments
Thanking someone for a positive review confirms they’re a patient—a HIPAA violation. One dental practice was fined $10,000 for this: hhs.gov > - Social media replies
Even a simple “we appreciate patients like you” exposes protected health information (PHI). - Employee posts
Staff posting photos or patient stories—even without names—can be violations. One nursing assistant lost her job and was jailed 30 days for posting a patient video. hipaajournal.com > - Website analytics
Tools like Google Analytics can capture PHI through URLs or searches. Without a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)—which Google won’t provide—this is a compliance risk. - Tracking pixels (Meta, LinkedIn, and others)
Many healthcare websites unknowingly include third-party pixels installed for ad retargeting or social media insights. These tools can transmit visitor IPs, referrer URLs, or form data back to platforms like Meta or LinkedIn—creating a risk of unintentional PHI exposure if those visits relate to specific medical services. Even if the intent isn’t to track patients, algorithms can infer sensitive information from behavioral data. - Non-secure email addresses or inquiry forms
Even with a disclaimer asking visitors not to share personal information, the act of entering a name or email address on a medical website can itself disclose interest in medical services and is considered PHI. - Training gaps
Staff often don’t realize how easy it is to cross the line—particularly when managing social media and or online reviews. Poor training = higher risk.
For a deeper dive, see our post: Is Google Analytics HIPAA Compliant?
The Consequences
- Fines: From thousands to millions.
- Reputation loss: Patients lose trust.
- Legal exposure: Disciplinary action or worse.
The Fix
- Audit tools: Review analytics, chatbots, plugins—anything that collects data.
- Train staff: Make HIPAA-in-digital-context part of onboarding and ongoing training.
- Create policies: Spell out do’s/don’ts for social media and reviews.
- Explore alternatives: Use HIPAA-compliant analytics platforms (e.g., Matomo, Azure) if needed. If you’re evaluating safer options, explore our guide on HIPAA-Compliant Analytics Alternatives
👉 Bottom line: HIPAA violations don’t just happen in records rooms. They happen every day online—often with good intentions. Awareness, training, and smart choices about tools are your best protection.
Note: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we reference third-party tools and HIPAA requirements, every organization’s compliance obligations may vary. You should consult with qualified legal or compliance professionals to determine how HIPAA applies to your specific situation. References to Google Analytics and other platforms are for informational/editorial purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
