I am running a local eye doctor's Facebook and Twitter accounts. I am wondering if they can offer rewards (like a coupon or a goodie bag) for having patients check in at their location without violating HIPAA regulations.

If no confidential patient information is given out it is not a HIPAA violation.

Agree if the patient agrees to post on their site or use it, and the doctor is not giving out any information about them, there is no problem.

What about tagging friends in a check in? As the social media manager, would I need to delete tagged check ins or photos?

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Originally Posted by ktclick

What about tagging friends in a check in? As the social media manager, would I need to delete tagged check ins or photos?

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As stated, if no personal information is used, there is not a problem. What do you mean tagging friends in a check in, are they going to divulge personal information? Photos are not a problem unless they are holding up their SSN in the photo :).

If you are unsure about the whole issue, why do it?

For example, you take your mother to the eye doctor, "check in" using your iPhone or other smartphone (because the eye doctor offers a discount off frames if you check in), then "tag" your mom's Facebook page (meaning all her friends can see where she is and who she is with).

Tagging can be an invaluable promotional tool for your business's Facebook page (and, therefore, for the business itself). The more people you tag, the more "friends" knows this page exists.

Why do it? It's an easy way to get the attention of lots of people, and that's the whole point of a business having a Facebook page.

This would not be a violation since it would not be the doctor or staff doing the tagging.