Learning from BetterHelp's $7M Fine: Prevention Strategies for Radiology Centers

Radiology centers face unique HIPAA compliance challenges when running digital ads, as diagnostic imaging data and patient scheduling information create high-risk exposure scenarios. BetterHelp's recent $7.8 million FTC settlement for sharing sensitive mental health data with Facebook and Snapchat serves as a critical wake-up call for medical imaging facilities using similar tracking technologies.

The Hidden Compliance Risks Threatening Radiology Centers

Medical imaging facilities unknowingly expose protected health information through three critical vulnerabilities that mirror BetterHelp's violations.

Patient Scheduling Data Leakage Through Meta Pixel Tracking
When radiology centers use Facebook's pixel to track appointment bookings, they inadvertently share appointment types, dates, and patient identifiers with Meta's advertising platform. This creates the same data exposure pattern that led to BetterHelp's massive fine.

Diagnostic Code Exposure in URL Parameters
Many radiology booking systems append procedure codes (CPT codes for MRIs, CT scans, mammograms) directly to confirmation page URLs. Client-side tracking tools like Google Analytics capture these URLs, transmitting diagnostic information to third-party servers without proper safeguards.

Retargeting Campaigns That Reveal Medical Conditions
Creating Facebook audiences based on specific imaging procedures essentially broadcasts patient medical needs. The HHS Office for Civil Rights specifically warns against using tracking technologies that could identify individuals seeking specific medical services.

Client-side tracking sends data directly from patient browsers to advertising platforms, while server-side tracking processes information through your controlled servers first, enabling proper PHI filtering before any external transmission.

How Curve Protects Radiology Centers from PHI Exposure

Curve's HIPAA-compliant tracking solution creates multiple layers of protection specifically designed for medical imaging facilities.

Client-Side PHI Stripping Technology
Our system automatically identifies and removes diagnostic codes, appointment details, and patient identifiers before any data reaches advertising platforms. This includes scrubbing CPT codes, procedure names, and scheduling information from all tracking events.

Server-Side Data Processing
All conversion data flows through Curve's HIPAA-compliant servers before reaching Google or Meta. This allows for additional PHI filtering and ensures only anonymous, aggregated marketing data reaches advertising platforms through secure API connections.

Radiology-Specific Implementation Process

• Connect your practice management system (Epic, Cerner, or RIS platforms)

• Configure procedure-specific conversion tracking without exposing diagnostic information

• Set up compliant retargeting audiences based on general inquiry behavior, not specific medical procedures

• Implement our signed Business Associate Agreement covering all tracking activities

HIPAA Compliant Radiology Marketing Optimization Strategies

Transform your digital advertising approach with these three proven strategies that maintain compliance while maximizing conversions.

Implement Enhanced Conversions Without PHI Transmission
Use Google's Enhanced Conversions feature through Curve's secure API integration. This allows improved conversion tracking accuracy using hashed, non-identifiable patient contact information that never exposes medical details or diagnostic codes.

Create Compliant Meta CAPI Audiences
Build Facebook Custom Audiences based on general healthcare interest signals rather than specific procedure bookings. Focus on demographic and geographic targeting combined with broad healthcare interests, avoiding any medical condition-specific targeting that could violate PHI-free tracking principles.

Establish Procedure-Agnostic Conversion Goals
Track "consultation requests" and "appointment bookings" as general conversion events rather than procedure-specific goals. This approach maintains valuable optimization data for your campaigns while ensuring complete separation between advertising performance and patient diagnostic information.

Secure Your Radiology Practice Today

Don't let your radiology center become the next compliance headline. BetterHelp's $7M fine demonstrates that HIPAA violations in digital advertising carry severe financial consequences.

Ready to run compliant Google/Meta ads?
Book a HIPAA Strategy Session with Curve