HIPAA and Social Media

Going to the doctors used to be a private ordeal.

You told maybe one other person where you were going and what procedure you were getting.

And those same people wanted their privacy secured so much so that they banded together to protect their privacy and information. Then HIPAA Laws were created. The purpose was to keep loose lips tight and prevent the sharing of your medical information beyond the scope of the need to know basis.

Sounded great in theory. Create a system that fully protects your medical information, and keeps that information from being shared.

Fast forward a few years to the present and those people are now posting every aspect of their medical conditions, treatments, appointments, pictures directly to social media.

Yet, ironically those people sharing their medical info to their social friends still demand that the medical personnel treating them keeps their mouth shut about them.

It’ll be just a matter of time that doctor’s offices add this question to their intake form…

“Have you or will you post about this appointment or procedure on social media?”

Once you say yes to that question, you may end giving up any right you have to further protect your medical privacy.

This is why it’s so important to refrain from posting your medical information online. The more you do it, the less the doctors and hospitals will comply with your wishes to protect your information. Heck, if you’re going to disclose your own information, then why have policies and laws to prevent others from doing it?

Stop posting your medical information or someday those HIPAA laws will disappear. And seriously, posting your medical information on social media for all to see could be the very thing that is used against you in a medical malpractice case.

Rob Anspach

Anspach Media | Website | + posts

Rob Anspach is affectionately known as “Mr. Sarcasm” to his friends. To everyone else, he’s a Certified Digital Marketing Strategist, Authority Amplification Expert, Best-Selling Author, Podcaster, Speaker, and Publisher who helps entrepreneurs, experts, and organizations expand their influence, credibility, and legacy.

With more than 30 years of experience building brands and positioning leaders as industry authorities, Rob specializes in authority marketing, storytelling strategy, and digital visibility. He is known for helping experts move beyond simply being known… and become respected, trusted, and remembered.

Rob has authored, co-authored, or produced 65+ books covering topics such as social media marketing, podcasting, copywriting, personal injury law, military law, entrepreneurship, customer experience, life lessons, scams, sarcasm-driven business strategy, and more. His publishing and authority-building clients include attorneys, speakers, doctors, consultants, real estate professionals, coaches, and corporate leaders seeking to elevate their visibility and thought leadership.

He is also the host of The E-Heroes Podcast, featuring 385+ interviews with entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry disruptors. The show is distributed across major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and additional global streaming networks.

Through consulting, publishing, and strategic authority positioning, Rob works with businesses and organizations worldwide to help them increase revenue, strengthen brand trust, and capture high-value online opportunities.

Rob is available for speaking engagements, media interviews, podcast guest appearances, and corporate training programs focused on authority marketing, legacy branding, and strategic visibility.

To learn more or to get started, visit www.AnspachMedia.com or call Anspach Media at (412) 267-7224.