To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Avoiding Social Media Pitfalls in Healthcare

The increasing use of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other websites by providers and patients creates many legal issues. Additionally, the changes to HIPAA brought about by the HITECH Act have a significant effect on all facets of the healthcare industry. This seminar will bring you up-to-date on the ever-changing legal issues relating to data privacy and social media.

The legal issues that we will discuss include:

• how use of social media can lead to HIPAA violations
• social media concerns related to employment, defamation, invasion of privacy
• social media's impact on overall compliance
• how the HITECH Act affects companies other than healthcare providers and health plans
• what companies should know about the status of the HITECH Act rules
• what companies should be doing now in terms of HIPAA compliance

Presenters:

Shannon Hartsfield is the regulatory and litigation leader of the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences Team. She advises clients on state and federal healthcare regulatory matters, including corporate and regulatory compliance, data privacy, licensure, prescription drug distribution and pharmaceutical pedigree requirements and telemedicine.

Jenn Mansfield has extensive experience in media law, keeping clients in compliance with myriad regulations that easily snag the unwary, such as the crossroads of social media and healthcare.

Mike Prendergast leads the Labor and Employment Group in the firm's Jacksonville office. Mr. Prendergast represents private and public sector employers in employment litigation in state and federal courts and before various administrative agencies.

Ricardo Bedoya (Moderator) has extensive healthcare-related litigation experience, representing health plans and healthcare facilities throughout Florida.