What are the rules on advertising of healthcare services?

In Pennsylvania, the rules on the advertising of healthcare services are governed by the Pennsylvania Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act. The Act requires healthcare providers to adhere to certain standards when advertising services. For instance, healthcare providers must truthfully and accurately describe their services and qualifications. They cannot advertise services or products that they don’t provide or possess. Additionally, any claims or representations made must be based on evidence that is generally accepted in the medical profession. The Act also requires healthcare providers to obtain approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health for any advertising materials prior to publishing or airing them. This includes television and radio advertisements, brochures, and any other media outlets. In addition, the Act prohibits healthcare providers from using false, misleading, or deceptive language in any form of advertising. This includes making claims about the quality of their services and using terms with specific definitions that could be misinterpreted. Furthermore, the Act stipulates that healthcare providers must obtain informed consent from any patient they advertise services to. Lastly, MCARE prohibits healthcare providers from offering any incentives to patients or prospective patients, such as discounts or free services, in exchange for their agreement to receive medical care. Failure to comply with these rules can result in professional disciplinary action being taken against healthcare providers who are found to be in violation of the MCARE Act.

What are the rules on advertising of healthcare services?

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