Reasons to Consider Keeping an Eye on Your Communications
Content monitoring is a significant part – or should be, of any substance abuse treatment website. Your web page will be under heavy scrutiny, especially for things like regulatory compliance and HIPAA laws.
One of the most important dynamics in regard to your website content is LegitScript. This could potentially be the most impactful portion of your website, as it legitimizes your organization and the information contained within your web pages.
So, what’s the most effective way to go about content monitoring? Is it a job that’s best left on a manual basis by a real human employee? Or would the process be more efficient with content monitoring software? And if so, how accurate is a content monitoring tool?
In this article, we highlight the key aspects of web pages in the substance abuse space, including HIPAA and LegitScript, and give you the best, and most accurate ways of accomplishing your content monitoring so you remain in compliance.
What Is LegitScript?
The purpose of LegitScript for drug rehab websites is to establish legitimacy and trustworthiness within the addiction treatment industry. LegitScript is a verification and monitoring service that evaluates the compliance and legality of any official mental health and substance abuse-related web page. Its primary goal is to ensure transparency, safety, and ethical practices in the field of addiction treatment, with a specific focus on:
- Web page auditing
- Content Monitoring
- SEO and advertising practices
- etc.
LegitScript is such a high authority that your landing pages, or any web page, for that matter, won’t rank on Google and will eventually be penalized if you’re not up-to-date with LegitScript compliance.
LegitScript certification serves several important purposes:
Consumer Protection
LegitScript aims to protect vulnerable individuals seeking addiction treatment by verifying the legitimacy and quality of drug rehab facilities. By evaluating various factors, including licensing, transparency in practices, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, LegitScript helps individuals make informed decisions about choosing reputable and trustworthy treatment providers.
Fighting Illegal Tactics
The addiction treatment industry has unfortunately experienced instances of fraudulent and deceptive practices – and these occurrences have been on the rise in the last few years. LegitScript helps combat these illicit activities by setting standards and certifying only those drug rehab facilities that meet the specified requirements. This helps to reduce the risk of individuals falling victim to unsatisfactory and fraudulent providers – and pages that deliver false or misleading content with the goal of boosting revenue.
Setting the Standard
LegitScript certification encourages drug rehab facilities to uphold higher standards of professionalism, ethics, and compliance. By promoting adherence to applicable laws and regulations, LegitScript contributes to an improved industry reputation and fosters a more transparent and accountable addiction treatment landscape.
For pharmacies, they check things like product pages and other elements. For substance abuse, they check for the services you claim to provide, in addition to other guarantees made on your website. This is why content monitoring is so important in relation to LegitScript and HIPAA.
Meeting Advertising Platform Requirements
Many online advertising platforms, such as Google Ads, require drug rehab facilities to obtain LegitScript certification before running advertisements related to addiction treatment. Adhering to LegitScript requirements enables facilities to access these advertising channels and expand their reach to individuals seeking help. Your rehab SEO ranking can eventually become compromised if you’re not up-to-date with LegitScript and in compliance.
By serving as a verification and monitoring service, LegitScript plays a significant role in promoting integrity, safety, and accountability within the drug rehab industry. It helps individuals find reputable treatment options, assists facilities in maintaining compliance, and contributes to raising overall industry standards.
What Is Content Monitoring for a Substance Abuse Site?
Your content monitoring speaks to the vigilance of the material that’s posted on your website or blog. It also encompasses the safety you provide against any potential security breaches, especially if your website hosts any sensitive information regarding clients.
To start monitoring your website content, the first thing to do is look for any unauthorized changes. Nothing should ever be posted on your website – and there should be something in place for the fast detection of even the smallest changes.
It may seem minuscule, but even the most insignificant website content changes can spell a HIPAA or LegitScript violation. There should either be a designated team or individual or software in place that monitors all content changes for approval. A violation of either one of these entities can prove to be a disaster for a substance abuse treatment facility.
Violating HIPAA and LegitScript
If drug rehab websites violate HIPAA laws and LegitScript requirements, they may face serious consequences and potential legal ramifications. Here are some potential outcomes:
Criminal Charges
Violating HIPAA laws can result in significant legal penalties, including fines, civil lawsuits, and criminal charges, depending on the severity of the violation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing HIPAA regulations and can impose substantial financial penalties for non-compliance.
Revocation of LegitScript Certs
If a drug rehab fails to comply with LegitScript rules and guidelines, it may lose its LegitScript certification. This can negatively impact the facility’s credibility and ability to demonstrate its legitimacy to potential clients, referral partners, and insurance providers. Losing LegitScript certification may also limit the facility’s visibility and access to online advertising platforms.
Regulatory Investigations and Audits
Violations of HIPAA laws or LegitScript requirements may trigger regulatory investigations and audits by the OCR, state licensing boards, or other relevant authorities. These investigations can be time-consuming, costly, and disruptive to the operations of the drug rehab facility.
Civil Lawsuits
Violations of HIPAA laws can expose drug rehab facilities to lawsuits from affected individuals, including clients whose privacy rights were compromised. These lawsuits can result in financial damages, legal fees, and reputational harm.
To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial that you adhere to the following steps to remain focused on your content monitoring.
Avoiding HIPAA and LegitScript Issues with Content Monitoring
Drug rehabs must carefully monitor their website content to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of patient information or any breach of privacy. This includes being vigilant about the information shared on web forms, contact pages, or client testimonials to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.
In addition to HIPAA laws, drug rehabs also need to consider the LegitScript certification requirements. To obtain LegitScript certification, drug rehabs must meet specific criteria, such as proper licensing, transparency in practices, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Web application availability can also be tested, to make sure that all versions of your online presence meet the standards of their accreditation process.
Content monitoring becomes crucial in ensuring that the website content aligns with LegitScript rules and guidelines to maintain certification and ensure potential clients see the facility as trustworthy.
Using the following strategies can help you avoid any potential dangers:
Regular Reviews
Conducting routine website content reviews on your treatment center site to ensure that all website information, including text, images, videos, and downloadable resources, comply with HIPAA laws and LegitScript requirements. This includes monitoring all the content online; testimonials, client stories, and any potentially sensitive information shared on the website.
Secure Web Forms and Certificates
Implementing secure web forms and encryption protocols to protect patient information submitted through online forms and contact pages. This helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures compliance with HIPAA guidelines for data security.
Proper Staff Training
Providing training to staff members involved in website content creation and maintenance about HIPAA laws, patient privacy, and LegitScript guidelines. This helps foster awareness and ensure that all individuals understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining compliance.
Software and Third-Party Agencies
Utilizing reputable third-party content monitoring services or compliance software to assist in monitoring website content for HIPAA compliance and LegitScript rules. These services can provide automated checks, alerts, and reporting to help maintain adherence to regulations.
Agencies like Ads Up Marketing are one of the most effective ways to monitor your content and guarantee any hangups regarding HIPAA, LegitScript, and other compliance.
Ads Up Marketing Can Help You Stay Compliant
The team at Ads Up Marketing can ensure you remain in compliance and avoid any potential legal ramifications. We can conduct audits and alert you to any potential infractions and eliminate problems before they arise.
For more information and a complimentary consultation, contact us today!