Is Google Analytics HIPAA-Compliant?
Get your free guide to HIPAA-compliant website analytics for hospitals, health systems and medical groups.
The short answer is “No” — at least, not the way that Google Analytics is typically implemented.
The HHS clarified this in guidance that they released in 2022.
Despite this, we found that six of the nation’s top 10 biggest hospitals are still using Google Analytics to track visitors on their websites (as of mid-2023).
They might be putting themselves at risk of a HIPAA violation; and if you’re a covered entity using Google Analytics, Facebook/Meta tracking pixels or other similar tools, you could be at risk as well.
The Comprehensive Guide to HIPAA-Compliant Analytics
Don’t risk big fines because you’re using non-HIPAA-compliant analytics tools. Download our free guide to HIPAA-compliant analytics solutions today. It covers:
- How Google Analytics could be causing a HIPAA violation
- Ways you can configure Google Analytics to be HIPAA-compliant
- Tools that anonymize Google Analytics data to remove Protected Health Information (PHI)
- Website and app analytics tools that are HIPAA-compliant
Why We Wrote It
Echo-Factory is a digital marketing agency that’s been working with healthcare clients for more than 15 years. We value patient privacy, the value of having data to monitor and improving the experience of your site visitors.
When the HHS made it clear that Google Analytics represented a HIPAA risk, we helped our healthcare clients migrate to HIPAA-compliant analytics solutions. But there wasn’t much information out there.
So, we put what we learned into a comprehensive guide that any healthcare organization can use to make informed decisions about how they should, and shouldn’t, use analytics on their websites and apps.
Is It Really a Big Deal?
Potentially.
We don’t like to use fear as a motivator, but it’s worth being aware that HIPAA fines and penalties can be pretty significant.
In February 2023, an Arizona nonprofit health system paid $1.2 million for a HIPAA-related breach. In May, a healthcare administration consultant paid $350K.
Even if you don’t attract a fine from the HHS, just the risk of litigation could be a significant motivator. More than 20 hospitals are currently facing class-action lawsuits over the use of web-tracking tools.
Our recommendation? Deal with the problem before it becomes a liability. Don’t wait for a chilling letter from your legal department.
Looking For Some Help?
Our guide is a great tool, but if you’re looking for a partner to help you navigate the transition to HIPAA-compliant website analytics tools, we can help.
We’ve been helping hospitals, medical groups and health systems with HIPAA-compliant digital marketing for 15+ years, and we’d be happy to help you. Just contact us today, and we’ll get started.
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