Facebook Advertising No-No’s for Healthcare Businesses

Amanda Howard, Esq.

Facebook has a long list of things it doesn’t allow to be posted. While some things are obvious, others are not. And what gets flagged may be confusing to posters. That’s not surprising, as Facebook is known for using bots to review ads for denial or approval. The problem with using bots is that bots may flag suspicious information, and only a human can understand the true context of it. Fortunately, if you appeal a decision to deny your ad, Facebook will usually allow for human review. To bypass this and just for better practices, before your practice or business posts an ad on Facebook, be aware of what’s not allowed on Facebook to lessen your chances of being denied:

  1. You generally can’t talk about drugs. Illegal drugs are an absolute no-no, and so are prescription drugs. Talk about over-the-counter drugs is subject to strict guidelines.
  1. Facebook blocks “adult content” and “adult products and services.” Facebook has rejected ads related to sexual health issues, including reproductive health products/services, in some instances with good reason and others not. This is a situation in which making sure a bot isn’t the final decision-maker is important. 
  2. Facebook blocks “unsafe substances,” including anabolic steroids, DHEA, Ephedra and human growth hormones. While some of these substances are illegal, others, like DHEA, are not and help produce hormones which some individuals may medically need.  
  3. Facebook blocks “negative ad experiences,” meaning ads can’t draw attention to beauty or health conditions as such wording or imaging may create unexpected experiences.
  4. Facebook blocks sensationalized language and language bait. Be wary of posting ads that say things like “7-ways to change your life” or “5 ways to cut 1 lb a day.”
  5. Facebook also blocks personal attributes, such as an ad that talks about physical or mental health or condition. Stay away from wording like “Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Come to our clinic for treatment.”

Get Help

As a boutique law firm dedicated to supporting the healthcare community, our goal is to help healthcare professionals and businesses comply with all laws so that they can be safe in their profession and practices.If you would like to learn more about advertising as it relates to your practice or business and get advice on how to proceed, contact us at Florida Healthcare Law Firm to set up a consultation today.

Florida Abortion Law

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Florida is one of two states that block abortions after 15 weeks’ gestation. While 15 weeks, or a little beyond the first trimester, may seem like plenty of time to make the decision and undergo the procedure, the law does not provide exceptions for pregnancies that came about due to rape, incest, or sex trafficking.

Only about 2 percent of abortions in the state of Florida occurred after the 15-week mark in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and AP News. The populations most likely to be impacted negatively by the law are those who need time to put together the money to pay for an abortion, those who are so young or unhealthy that they do not realize they are pregnant until after the 15-week mark, and those who are in domestic violence situations and may need time to set up the appointment and cover the cost.

How Will the New Abortion Law Affect Physicians in Florida?

The situation is a difficult one for doctors as well as for the women who may be in need of an abortion in Florida. Physicians who break the law and provide an abortion outside of the terms and conditions face a fine of $10,000 for each violation and the possibility of losing their medical license.

Keeping Up With the Laws

It is a good idea to stay abreast of updates as the laws regarding abortion continue to change in Florida. A contingent of the population and some officials holding office are working hard to change the laws, calling them a violation of the state constitution.

If the current iteration of the law contrasts with your current policy, changing that policy will help you to stay within the bounds of the law. Updating all standards and convening a meeting of the entire staff will help to ensure that patients are getting the same information from all employees at every level.

How Do I Respond to Litigation or Notices From the State Regarding the Florida Abortion Law?

If you have received a notice from the state or have been served legal paperwork due to an alleged violation of the abortion law in Florida, it is important to connect with legal help as soon as possible.

At the Florida Healthcare Law Firm, we focus solely on serving the medical community in South Florida. We can help you keep up with the changes in abortion law as well as changes in all laws that impact your clinic, office, employees, and patients. Additionally, we can help you to overhaul your business plan to support the legal changes. Should you face charges along the way, we can help you to address the situation proactively.

Contact Florida Healthcare Law Firm to set up a free consultation.