HIPAA-compliant texting apps allow you to speak securely and effectively with group members and sufferers. Right here, we have a look at the highest 7 HIPAA-compliant textual content messaging apps for your enterprise.
Healthcare companies and organizations are legally required to maintain protected well being data (PHI) safe always. Textual content messages on their very own aren’t safe, and lots of standard textual content messaging apps aren’t compliant with the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This makes them just about ineffective in a healthcare setting.
Enter HIPAA-compliant texting apps. You need to use these for inside and exterior communications involving or containing PHI.
That will help you choose the proper possibility, we’ve compiled an inventory of the 7 greatest HIPAA-compliant chat apps for healthcare organizations.
In case you don’t have the time to learn by our analysis, bounce all the way down to our fast comparability desk.
Our High Picks
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Greatest all-in-one HIPAA-compliant texting app
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Good for cell healthcare organizations
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Good for house healthcare organizations
What to Look For in a HIPAA-Compliant Texting App
When on the lookout for the fitting HIPAA-compliant texting app for your enterprise, you’ll need to maintain an eye fixed out for these options:
- Safety. Search for end-to-end encryption, at-rest encryption, and entry controls. Finish-to-end encryption ensures messages you ship and obtain are protected, and solely you and the particular person you talk with can entry them. At-rest encryption means knowledge is protected when saved on a server or machine, making certain nobody can entry it. Entry controls guarantee solely individuals with the suitable permissions can see delicate messages and data.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA). This requires customers to log in to a system utilizing a number of types of identification—e.g., a password, a one-time code despatched by way of e mail or textual content, a fingerprint scan, or a facial ID scan. It provides further safety and helps guarantee solely the suitable individuals can entry delicate data.
- One-on-one and group chat. Fashionable texting apps aren’t restricted to one-on-one chat. Search for an answer providing customizable group messaging as properly. Group chats permit you and your group to remain related.
- Audio and video chat. Built-in audio and video communication choices allow you to speak extra effectively with sufferers and group members.
- File sharing. It’s best to be capable to securely share numerous information, together with paperwork, pictures, and movies containing delicate PHI.
- Stickers and emojis. Most trendy communication platforms make sending and receiving messages extra thrilling with stickers and emojis. Connecteam excels right here—and even lets you add polls and surveys to group chats.
- Software program integrations: Search for a platform that integrates with standard third-party apps. Integrations with health-specific packages that you simply already use are particularly helpful.
The 7 Greatest HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps of 2024
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Connecteam — Greatest all-in-one HIPAA-compliant texting app
Connecteam is an all-in-one enterprise administration answer with a built-in chat that’s absolutely HIPAA-compliant.
It additionally has different communications options, together with a collection of HR and operations administration instruments.
With this in thoughts, let’s have a look at what Connecteam’s HIPAA-compliant messenger affords.
Easy one-on-one and group chats
Connecteam’s user-friendly chat function is absolutely HIPAA-compliant and lets you share and focus on delicate well being data easily and effectively.
You may create group and one-on-one chats as wanted, and admin employees members have full moderator entry to all chats. This ensures that conversations stay skilled and on-topic.
You too can ship emojis and stickers to enliven conversations. Plus, you’ll be able to toggle learn receipts and reactions on or off each time wanted.
Set sensible alerts and notifications
What’s extra, Connecteam enables you to configure customized alerts and notifications to make sure nobody misses any messages. These embody follow-up messages after a specified time.
Share information straight in chat
One other factor that Connecteam lets you do is securely share information. You may share numerous forms of information straight inside the chat, together with paperwork, pictures, movies, and extra.
Defend delicate knowledge with superior safety
Connecteam secures all consumer knowledge, together with messages, utilizing a number of safety measures.
The platform hosts all knowledge on the Microsoft Azure safe cloud, one of the crucial safe platforms obtainable.
Moreover, Connecteam makes use of highly effective encryption strategies to encrypt knowledge because it’s being despatched and when it’s being saved. This ensures nobody can steal or entry it with out the suitable permissions.
Sturdy community safety additionally comes into play. There are highly effective firewalls in place to stop hacks and measures to guard towards distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults.
Plus, Connecteam’s knowledge facilities are extremely secured with numerous bodily safety measures. These embody 24-hour surveillance, entry controls, and methods in place to stop servers from going offline.
Prohibit entry with highly effective entry controls
You may set custom-made entry controls to make sure customers have entry solely to the instruments and data related to them. This helps scale back the danger of the mistaken individuals accessing delicate well being data.
Connecteam additionally affords multi-factor authentication (MFA), which helps safe logins. MFA, generally referred to as 2-factor authentication (2FA), requires customers to request a code by way of SMS or e mail, for instance, to confirm their identification.
Connecteam’s different options
Whereas Connecteam’s chat is presently its one absolutely HIPAA-compliant function, it affords a spread of different instruments you should use to your HR, communications, and operations wants.
Firstly, the doc administration portal enables you to retailer and set up worker paperwork and different necessary information. Workers can add and entry information proper from their cell gadgets, and group members can touch upon paperwork to encourage collaboration.
With Connecteam’s firm listing, you’ll be able to retailer all of your contacts in a single place. You may customise your contacts and add any related data. Plus, entry controls make sure that delicate data like birthdays is offered solely on a need-to-know foundation.
Workforce members can use the listing to lookup and phone anybody else within the listing. You may message or name straight from the Connecteam app, and customers can add their most popular contact particulars and name hours to streamline communications additional.
Moreover, you should use the social-media-style replace feed to share organization-wide updates and bulletins. There’s additionally a data base builder and a choice of occasion administration instruments.
Connecteam’s operations administration options embody the worker time clock, shift scheduling instruments, and activity administration options.
You’ll additionally profit from HR administration options just like the coaching and onboarding portal, day without work administration instruments, and worker recognition options.
Connecteam can also be straightforward to arrange and use, accessible by way of a cell app and an internet model. It’s inexpensive, too, with a free-forever Small Enterprise Plan and paid plans ranging from simply $29 monthly for as much as 30 customers.
Key Options
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Totally HIPAA-compliant chat
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Multi-factor authentication
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One-on-one and group messaging
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File-sharing capabilities
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Admin management over chats
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Customizable notifications and alerts
Execs
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Inexpensive for groups of all sizes
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Very straightforward to arrange and use
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Glorious safety throughout the board
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A great deal of further options
Pricing
Free-for-life plan obtainablePremium plans begin at $29/month for 30 customers
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Zinc — Good for cell healthcare organizations
Obtainable on
- Internet
- iOS
- Android
- Home windows
- Mac
Zinc’s safe messaging platform is compliant with HIPAA laws. Some options embody inside collaboration, video conferencing, and prompt group and one-on-one messaging. Managers and different group members can use Zinc to observe real-time metrics to make sure the platform is getting used appropriately.
Employers can use Zinc to automate routine duties and streamline customer support interactions. That is executed with chatbots, automated reminders, and consumer administration options. Varied forms of content material could be shared within the safe chat, together with pictures, movies, information, and areas.
The principle draw back of Zinc is that its customer support is usually a little gradual. There’s additionally no free-forever plan, and clients must contact the gross sales group for pricing data.
Key Options
- HIPAA-compliant communication
- Actual-time analytics and reporting
- Inner collaboration instruments
- Video conferencing
Execs
- Varied file varieties could be shared
- Contains safe textual content chat
Cons
- Customer support could be poor
- No free-forever plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing
Trial: No
Free Plan: No -
Notifyd — Good for house healthcare organizations
Obtainable on
- Internet
- iOS
- Android
- Home windows
- Mac
Notifyd affords safe messaging designed for house healthcare companies. It’s absolutely HIPAA-compliant and affords one-on-one and group chats.
Customers can share numerous file varieties by the chat interface, together with pictures, movies, and paperwork. Admins and employers can create customized notifications to make sure customers get an alert each time they obtain a brand new message.
Different options embody integrations with third-party platforms (together with Dropbox and Google Drive) and a built-in worker listing. This can be utilized to retailer contact data and different particulars about staff and contractors.
Nevertheless, with a beginning worth of $500 per location, monthly, Notifyd is pricey for what it affords.
Key Options
- Safe in-app messaging
- File sharing
- Some integrations
- Constructed-in worker listing
Execs
- Cell and desktop apps
- Customized notifications
Cons
- Costly
- Restricted options
Pricing
Begins at $500/month
Trial: No
Free Plan: No -
TigerConnect — Good for medium to giant healthcare services
Obtainable on
- Internet
- iOS
- Android
- Home windows
- Mac
TigerConnect is a healthcare communications app designed for hospitals, nursing services, house well being organizations, and related healthcare companies. It consists of safe textual content, audio, and video chat by way of its cell and desktop apps.
Customers can share information by way of the HIPAA-compliant texting platform. These embody paperwork, movies, pictures, and extra. Managers can even create customized groups to streamline communication. Plus, TigerConnect affords integrations with numerous digital well being data (EHR), scheduling, and different third-party platforms.
On the draw back, TigerConnect’s entry controls are slightly missing. Customers gained’t all the time be capable to management who can see archive content material or use the published function. Some integrations can be slightly difficult to arrange.
Key Options
- Position-based communication
- Safe inside chat
- Constructed-in file sharing
- Video and audio communication
Execs
- Clear, easy consumer interface
- Safe, cloud-based platform
Cons
- Integrations are troublesome to arrange
- Poor entry controls
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing
Trial: No
Free Plan: No -
Providertech — Good for 2-way affected person communication
Providertech affords devoted HIPAA-compliant texting with just a few further options. Its safe messaging platform allows healthcare professionals to ship textual content messages to sufferers. Photos, paperwork, and different information could be connected as required.
There are templates obtainable to streamline the message creation course of, and the scheduling possibility means messages could be despatched at a later date or time. No app is required for sufferers to entry Providertech messages, and there are just a few EHR integrations.
The principle subject with Providertech is its outdated consumer interface. It’s additionally on the costly facet, and clients must contact the corporate for pricing data.
Key Options
- Safe 2-way textual content messaging
- Communication administration dashboard
- Message templates
- Message scheduling
Execs
- Streamlined file sharing
- No app is required for sufferers
Cons
- Consumer interface is troublesome to navigate
- No free plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing
Trial: No
Free Plan: No -
Halo Well being — Good for medical trial administration
Halo Well being is a program designed to streamline medical trials. Its Good Scientific Trials product consists of HIPAA-compliant textual content messaging that can be utilized for each in-house and clinic-to-patient communication.
Each textual content and audio communication can be found. Employers and admin employees can use role-based entry controls to find out who can do what with this system. There’s additionally a choice of integrations with third-party platforms, together with most hospital medical methods.
Nevertheless, Halo Well being is concentrated on medical trial administration, so it’s not the best choice for many healthcare organizations. Its customer support can also be on the poor facet.
Key Options
- Third-party integrations
- Safe in-app messaging
- Textual content and audio communication supported
- Position-based entry controls
Execs
- Fairly straightforward to arrange and use
- Easy integrations
Cons
- Solely actually helpful for medical trial administration
- Poor customer support
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing
Trial: No
Free Plan: No -
Spok — Good for affected person interactions
Obtainable on
- Internet
- iOS
- Android
- Home windows
- Mac
Spok is a HIPAA-compliant chat answer designed for healthcare organizations. Healthcare professionals can use it to speak with one another and with sufferers. Safe file sharing is included for paperwork, movies, pictures, and extra.
The Spok cell and desktop apps present cross-platform compatibility. All crucial communications are logged and traceable. There are another options as properly, together with an organizational listing and an on-call scheduling instrument.
The principle draw back is Spok’s buyer help, which is restricted to business-hours telephone and e mail ticketing. Which means that it may be slightly gradual.
Key Options
- HIPAA-compliant messaging
- Safe file sharing
- Group listing
- On-call scheduling
Execs
- Obtainable on cell and desktop
- Full message traceability
Cons
- Restricted help choices
- No free-forever plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing
Trial: No
Free Plan: No
Evaluate the Greatest HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
What Are HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps?
A HIPAA-compliant textual content messaging app is any group chat or messaging program that’s compliant with the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It is a federal legislation that outlines precisely how affected person knowledge and well being data needs to be managed.
HIPAA compliance requires sturdy knowledge safety, like end-to-end encryption and granular entry controls. This prevents delicate affected person knowledge from being by accident launched or intercepted by malicious third events.
It’s necessary to notice that merely utilizing HIPAA-compliant texting platforms doesn’t guarantee HIPAA compliance mechanically. You additionally want to make sure you’re utilizing the suitable safety controls and office practices. Make use of entry controls, require customers to log in with a number of types of ID by multi-factor authentication, and guarantee your knowledge is encrypted.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to coach your employees about HIPAA laws in order that they know how one can keep compliant when speaking with one another and with sufferers.
How Do HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps Work?
HIPAA-compliant textual content messaging apps use a number of particular options to make sure they present the suitable safety degree.
This begins with encryption, which ensures messages involving or containing affected person well being data (PHI) are all the time secured. This consists of whereas they’re being despatched and acquired and whereas they’re saved on gadgets. Encrypted information, together with textual content messages, can’t be accessed by third events, even when they’re intercepted.
HIPAA-compliant messaging apps additionally use numerous user-authentication instruments, together with multi-factor authentication. This ensures that delicate affected person data is offered solely to the individuals who ought to be capable to see it.
Lastly, safe texting apps sometimes have safe file sharing. You may share pictures, movies, and paperwork with sufferers and colleagues with out worry of violating HIPAA laws.
The Advantages of HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
HIPAA-compliant prompt messaging options allow health-related companies to satisfy their authorized data-use necessities. They’re additionally related to a collection of different advantages, together with the next:
Allow safe digital communication
HIPAA-compliant texting platforms allow you to speak with sufferers and colleagues by way of a safe interface. This lets you share delicate PHI with out worrying about it being leaked or stolen.
After all, in addition they allow digital communication. That is extra handy for each healthcare professionals and sufferers since they will ship and obtain data immediately.
Guarantee regulatory compliance
HIPAA laws is obvious on healthcare organizations’ knowledge safety and safety obligations. Dealing with affected person data correctly is crucial, and utilizing a safe HIPAA-compliant messaging answer may help you do this.
Whereas that’s not all it’s essential do to satisfy your authorized obligations, it’s one piece of the puzzle you’ll be able to handle simply.
Utilizing a non-secure chat app with out end-to-end encryption or different security measures may expose you to a knowledge breach or knowledge theft. This might have enormous authorized ramifications, together with fines and/or jail time.
Enhance effectivity
Utilizing a HIPAA-compliant textual content messaging app may help you enhance your healthcare group’s effectivity and high quality of care.
It lets you talk successfully with sufferers, making certain they’re engaged and brought care of by each step of their healthcare journey. These apps additionally enable you talk with colleagues safely and securely.
What’s extra, many HIPAA-compliant messaging apps have further options and integrations. These allow you to streamline on a regular basis workflows to spice up effectivity throughout.
Encourage well timed decision-making
Safe messaging apps allow care groups to shortly and effectively trade crucial details about a affected person and their present situation or historical past. This could help groups in making quick selections associated to a affected person’s care—particularly throughout emergencies.
A HIPAA-compliant texting platform makes asking for and receiving skilled help straightforward. You may share the small print of the scenario with out worrying about breaching HIPAA laws.
Enhance affected person care
The flexibility to coordinate with sufferers and different healthcare professionals by a safe texting platform will result in higher all-around care.
Compliant chat apps allow healthcare professionals to share data and coordinate care shortly and effectively from wherever. This implies you and your group can handle sufferers’ wants quicker and remedy issues faster. In flip, you present higher high quality of care and expertise higher affected person outcomes.
How A lot Do HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps Value?
Most HIPAA-compliant texting apps are costly, and it may be troublesome for small healthcare organizations to justify their price.
Notifyd, for instance, begins at $500 monthly. Few different platforms promote their costs—and those that do aren’t low-cost.
Fortuitously, you don’t need to lay our a fortune to entry an awesome HIPAA-compliant messaging app. Connecteam begins at simply $29 monthly for as much as 30 customers. Further customers could be added for $0.50 every monthly. There’s additionally a free-for-life Small Enterprise Plan that helps as much as 10 customers.
FAQs
What messaging app is HIPAA-compliant?
The perfect HIPAA-compliant texting app is Connecteam. It has highly effective security measures and inexpensive pricing plans. Plus, groups of 10 or fewer can use Connecteam 100% free perpetually.
How do I make my textual content messages HIPAA-compliant?
One of the best ways to make your textual content messages HIPAA-compliant is to make use of a HIPAA-compliant prompt messaging platform like Connecteam.
The Backside Line on HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
The perfect HIPAA-compliant texting apps will assist your healthcare group talk successfully whereas sustaining regulatory compliance. They’re designed to make sure all messages and different communications are appropriately secured, decreasing the danger of an information breach or leak.
Connecteam stands out because the greatest HIPAA-compliant texting app. It affords sturdy security measures, customizable one-on-one and group chats, and sensible notifications to make sure nobody misses necessary messages.
The platform has a ton of different options for your enterprise wants, in addition to inexpensive pricing plans for groups of all sizes.
Get began with Connecteam without spending a dime as we speak!
