HIPAA Education: Texting and Social Media
The following information is important for you to know so you can continue to comply with HIPAA rules and regulations and keep your patient’s personal health information protected.
HIPAA Rules for Texting & Social Media:
- Do not send text messages containing patient information to anyone not even patients, their family/friends
- Tell patients/members, their family, and their friends not to send you text messages containing PHI. You cannot respond to these texts
- Never send messages with patient information via social media platforms including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, and X Corp(Twitter)
- Posting patient information or pictures of patients/members, their family, their friends, or the home environment to social media is prohibited
- Posting patient information or pictures of patients/members, their family, their friends, or the home environment to social media is prohibited
- Do not communicate with patients/members, their family, or their friends via social media, even if they contact you first
- Speak with your supervisor if you have any questions