HIPAA Meets Social Media Marketing with Liz Heddleston and Leah Stiegler

As healthcare organizations expand their digital marketing efforts, many are discovering that social media, patient testimonials, online success stories, influencers, and AI-generated content can create significant privacy and compliance risks. In a recent episode of the Emerging Litigation Podcast, Woods Rogers Principals Liz Heddleston and Leah Stiegler sit down with host Tom Hagy to discuss how healthcare providers can navigate the growing intersection of HIPAA compliance and modern marketing practices.

Using a recent enforcement action involving Cadia Healthcare Facilities as a case study, Liz and Leah examined how seemingly positive marketing efforts can result in HIPAA violations when protected health information is disclosed without proper authorization. The discussion explored common misconceptions surrounding patient consent and de-identification, as well as the compliance challenges that arise when organizations work with outside marketing agencies, vendors, influencers, and emerging AI tools.

Leah and Liz also discussed where enforcement activity may be headed and offered practical guidance for healthcare executives, compliance professionals, in-house counsel, marketers, and advisors seeking to reduce regulatory risk while maintaining an effective online presence.

Listen to the full episode of the Emerging Litigation Podcast here or on your favorite podcast platform.