HIPAA-compliant texting apps enable you to communicate securely and efficiently with team members and patients. Here, we look at the top 7 HIPAA-compliant text messaging apps for your business.
Healthcare businesses and organizations are legally required to keep protected health information (PHI) secure at all times. Text messages on their own aren’t secure, and many popular text messaging apps aren’t compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This makes them pretty much useless in a healthcare setting.
Enter HIPAA-compliant texting apps. You can use these for internal and external communications involving or containing PHI.
To help you pick the perfect option, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best HIPAA-compliant chat apps for healthcare organizations.
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one HIPAA-compliant texting app
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Good for mobile healthcare organizations
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Good for home healthcare organizations
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What to Look For in a HIPAA-Compliant Texting App
When looking for the right HIPAA-compliant texting app for your business, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these features:
- Security. Look for end-to-end encryption, at-rest encryption, and access controls. End-to-end encryption ensures messages you send and receive are protected, and only you and the person you communicate with can access them. At-rest encryption means data is protected when stored on a server or device, ensuring no one can access it. Access controls ensure only people with the appropriate permissions can see sensitive messages and information.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA). This requires users to log in to a system using multiple forms of identification—e.g., a password, a one-time code sent via email or text, a fingerprint scan, or a facial ID scan. It adds extra protection and helps ensure only the appropriate people can access sensitive information.
- One-on-one and group chat. Modern texting apps aren’t limited to one-on-one chat. Look for a solution offering customizable group messaging as well. Group chats allow you and your team to stay connected.
- Audio and video chat. Integrated audio and video communication options enable you to communicate more efficiently with patients and team members.
- File sharing. You should be able to securely share various files, including documents, images, and videos containing sensitive PHI.
- Stickers and emojis. Most modern communication platforms make sending and receiving messages more exciting with stickers and emojis. Connecteam excels here—and even enables you to add polls and surveys to group chats.
- Software integrations: Look for a platform that integrates with popular third-party apps. Integrations with health-specific programs that you already use are especially useful.
The 7 Best HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps of 2024
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one HIPAA-compliant texting app
Connecteam is an all-in-one business management solution with a built-in chat that’s fully HIPAA-compliant.
It also has other communications features, along with a suite of HR and operations management tools.
With this in mind, let’s look at what Connecteam’s HIPAA-compliant messenger offers.
Smooth one-on-one and group chats
Connecteam’s user-friendly chat feature is fully HIPAA-compliant and enables you to share and discuss sensitive health information smoothly and efficiently.
You can create group and one-on-one chats as needed, and admin staff members have full moderator access to all chats. This ensures that conversations remain professional and on-topic.
You can also send emojis and stickers to liven up conversations. Plus, you can toggle read receipts and reactions on or off whenever needed.
Set smart alerts and notifications
What’s more, Connecteam lets you configure custom alerts and notifications to ensure no one misses any messages. These include follow-up messages after a specified time.
Share files directly in chat
Another thing that Connecteam enables you to do is securely share files. You can share various types of files directly within the chat, including documents, images, videos, and more.
Protect sensitive data with advanced security
Connecteam secures all user data, including messages, using a variety of security measures.
The platform hosts all data on the Microsoft Azure secure cloud, one of the most secure platforms available.
Additionally, Connecteam uses powerful encryption methods to encrypt data as it’s being sent and when it’s being stored. This ensures no one can steal or access it without the appropriate permissions.
Strong network security also comes into play. There are powerful firewalls in place to prevent hacks and measures to protect against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Plus, Connecteam’s data centers are highly secured with various physical security measures. These include 24-hour surveillance, access controls, and systems in place to prevent servers from going offline.
Restrict access with powerful access controls
You can set customized access controls to ensure users have access only to the tools and information relevant to them. This helps reduce the risk of the wrong people accessing sensitive health information.
Connecteam also offers multi-factor authentication (MFA), which helps secure logins. MFA, sometimes called 2-factor authentication (2FA), requires users to request a code via SMS or email, for example, to verify their identity.
Connecteam’s other features
While Connecteam’s chat is currently its one fully HIPAA-compliant feature, it offers a range of other tools you can use for your HR, communications, and operations needs.
Firstly, the document management portal lets you store and organize employee documents and other important files. Employees can upload and access files right from their mobile devices, and team members can comment on documents to encourage collaboration.
With Connecteam’s company directory, you can store all your contacts in one place. You can customize your contacts and add any relevant information. Plus, access controls ensure that sensitive information like birthdays is available only on a need-to-know basis.
Team members can use the directory to look up and contact anyone else in the directory. You can message or call straight from the Connecteam app, and users can add their preferred contact details and call hours to streamline communications further.
Additionally, you can use the social-media-style update feed to share organization-wide updates and announcements. There’s also a knowledge base builder and a selection of event management tools.
Connecteam’s operations management features include the employee time clock, shift scheduling tools, and task management features.
You’ll also benefit from HR management features like the training and onboarding portal, time off management tools, and employee recognition features.
Connecteam is also easy to set up and use, accessible via a mobile app and a web version. It’s affordable, too, with a free-forever Small Business Plan and paid plans starting from just $29 per month for up to 30 users.
Note: These prices do not reflect the additional fee of adding HIPAA compliance to an account.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!
Key Features
Fully HIPAA-compliant chat
Multi-factor authentication
One-on-one and group messaging
File-sharing capabilities
Admin control over chats
Customizable notifications and alerts
Pros
Affordable for teams of all sizes
Very easy to set up and use
Excellent security across the board
Loads of extra features
Cons
No video conferencing (yet)
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
14-day free trial, no credit card required
Start your free trial -
Zinc — Good for mobile healthcare organizations
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Zinc’s secure messaging platform is compliant with HIPAA regulations. Some features include internal collaboration, video conferencing, and instant group and one-on-one messaging. Managers and other team members can use Zinc to monitor real-time metrics to ensure the platform is being used appropriately.
Employers can use Zinc to automate routine tasks and streamline customer service interactions. This is done with chatbots, automatic reminders, and user management features. Various types of content can be shared in the secure chat, including images, videos, files, and locations.
The main downside of Zinc is that its customer service can be a little slow. There’s also no free-forever plan, and customers will have to contact the sales team for pricing information.
Key Features
- HIPAA-compliant communication
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Internal collaboration tools
- Video conferencing
Pros
- Various file types can be shared
- Includes secure text chat
Cons
- Customer service can be poor
- No free-forever plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Notifyd — Good for home healthcare organizations
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Notifyd offers secure messaging designed for home healthcare businesses. It’s fully HIPAA-compliant and offers one-on-one and team chats.
Users can share various file types through the chat interface, including images, videos, and documents. Admins and employers can create custom notifications to ensure users get an alert every time they receive a new message.
Other features include integrations with third-party platforms (including Dropbox and Google Drive) and a built-in employee directory. This can be used to store contact information and other details about employees and contractors.
However, with a starting price of $500 per location, per month, Notifyd is expensive for what it offers.
Key Features
- Secure in-app messaging
- File sharing
- Some integrations
- Built-in employee directory
Pros
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Custom notifications
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited features
Pricing
Starts at $500/month Trial: No Free Plan: No
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TigerConnect — Good for medium to large healthcare facilities
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
TigerConnect is a healthcare communications app designed for hospitals, nursing facilities, home health organizations, and similar healthcare businesses. It includes secure text, audio, and video chat via its mobile and desktop apps.
Users can share files via the HIPAA-compliant texting platform. These include documents, videos, images, and more. Managers can also create custom teams to streamline communication. Plus, TigerConnect offers integrations with various electronic health records (EHR), scheduling, and other third-party platforms.
On the downside, TigerConnect’s access controls are a little lacking. Users won’t always be able to control who can see archive content or use the broadcast feature. Some integrations can also be a little complicated to set up.
Key Features
- Role-based communication
- Secure internal chat
- Built-in file sharing
- Video and audio communication
Pros
- Clean, simple user interface
- Secure, cloud-based platform
Cons
- Integrations are difficult to set up
- Poor access controls
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Providertech — Good for 2-way patient communication
Available on
- Web
- Windows
- Mac
Providertech offers dedicated HIPAA-compliant texting with a few extra features. Its secure messaging platform enables healthcare professionals to send text messages to patients. Images, documents, and other files can be attached as required.
There are templates available to streamline the message creation process, and the scheduling option means messages can be sent at a later date or time. No app is needed for patients to access Providertech messages, and there are a few EHR integrations.
The main issue with Providertech is its outdated user interface. It’s also on the expensive side, and customers will have to contact the company for pricing information.
Key Features
- Secure 2-way text messaging
- Communication management dashboard
- Message templates
- Message scheduling
Pros
- Streamlined file sharing
- No app is needed for patients
Cons
- User interface is difficult to navigate
- No free plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Halo Health — Good for clinical trial management
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Halo Health is a program designed to streamline clinical trials. Its Smart Clinical Trials product includes HIPAA-compliant text messaging that can be used for both in-house and clinic-to-patient communication.
Both text and audio communication are available. Employers and admin staff can use role-based access controls to determine who can do what with the program. There’s also a selection of integrations with third-party platforms, including most hospital clinical systems.
However, Halo Health is focused on clinical trial management, so it’s not the best option for most healthcare organizations. Its customer service is also on the poor side.
Key Features
- Third-party integrations
- Secure in-app messaging
- Text and audio communication supported
- Role-based access controls
Pros
- Quite easy to set up and use
- Smooth integrations
Cons
- Only really useful for clinical trial management
- Poor customer service
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Spok — Good for patient interactions
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Spok is a HIPAA-compliant chat solution designed for healthcare organizations. Healthcare professionals can use it to communicate with each other and with patients. Secure file sharing is included for documents, videos, images, and more.
The Spok mobile and desktop apps provide cross-platform compatibility. All critical communications are logged and traceable. There are some other features as well, including an organizational directory and an on-call scheduling tool.
The main downside is Spok’s customer support, which is limited to business-hours phone and email ticketing. This means that it can be a little slow.
Key Features
- HIPAA-compliant messaging
- Secure file sharing
- Organization directory
- On-call scheduling
Pros
- Available on mobile and desktop
- Full message traceability
Cons
- Limited support options
- No free-forever plan
Pricing
Contact vendor for pricing Trial: No Free Plan: No
Compare the Best HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
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Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Best all-in-one HIPAA-compliant texting app
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Good for mobile healthcare organizations
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Good for home healthcare organizations
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Good for medium to large healthcare facilities
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Good for 2-way patient communication
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Good for clinical trial management
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Good for patient interactions
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What Are HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps?
A HIPAA-compliant text messaging app is any team chat or messaging program that’s compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This is a federal law that outlines exactly how patient data and health information should be managed.
HIPAA compliance requires strong data security, like end-to-end encryption and granular access controls. This prevents sensitive patient data from being accidentally released or intercepted by malicious third parties.
It’s important to note that simply using HIPAA-compliant texting platforms doesn’t ensure HIPAA compliance automatically. You also need to ensure you’re using the appropriate security controls and workplace practices. Make use of access controls, require users to log in with multiple forms of ID through multi-factor authentication, and ensure your data is encrypted.
It’s also a good idea to educate your staff about HIPAA regulations so they know how to stay compliant when communicating with each other and with patients.
How Do HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps Work?
HIPAA-compliant text messaging apps use several specific features to ensure they provide the appropriate security level.
This begins with encryption, which ensures messages involving or containing patient health information (PHI) are always secured. This includes while they’re being sent and received and while they’re stored on devices. Encrypted files, including text messages, can’t be accessed by third parties, even if they’re intercepted.
HIPAA-compliant messaging apps also use various user-authentication tools, including multi-factor authentication. This ensures that sensitive patient information is available only to the people who should be able to see it.
Finally, secure texting apps typically have secure file sharing. You can share images, videos, and documents with patients and colleagues without fear of violating HIPAA regulations and getting fines or penalties.
The Benefits of HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
HIPAA-compliant instant messaging solutions enable health-related businesses to meet their legal data-use requirements. They’re also associated with a suite of other benefits, including the following:
Enable secure digital communication
HIPAA-compliant texting platforms enable you to communicate with patients and colleagues via a secure interface. This enables you to share sensitive PHI without worrying about it being leaked or stolen.
Of course, they also enable digital communication. This is more convenient for both healthcare professionals and patients since they can send and receive information instantly.
Ensure regulatory compliance
HIPAA legislation is clear on healthcare organizations’ data security and protection responsibilities. Handling patient information properly is essential, and using a secure HIPAA-compliant messaging solution can help you do that.
While that’s not all you need to do to meet your legal obligations, it’s one piece of the puzzle you can take care of easily.
Using a non-secure chat app without end-to-end encryption or other security features could expose you to a data breach or data theft. This could have huge legal ramifications, including fines and/or jail time.
Improve efficiency
Using a HIPAA-compliant text messaging app can help you improve your healthcare organization’s efficiency and quality of care.
It enables you to communicate effectively with patients, ensuring they’re engaged and taken care of through every step of their healthcare journey. These apps also help you communicate with colleagues safely and securely.
What’s more, many HIPAA-compliant messaging apps have extra features and integrations. These enable you to streamline everyday workflows to boost efficiency all around.
Encourage timely decision-making
Secure messaging apps enable care teams to quickly and efficiently exchange critical information about a patient and their current condition or history. This can assist teams in making fast decisions related to a patient’s care—especially during emergencies.
A HIPAA-compliant texting platform makes asking for and receiving professional assistance easy. You can share the details of the situation without worrying about breaching HIPAA regulations.
Improve patient care
The ability to coordinate with patients and other healthcare professionals through a secure texting platform will lead to better all-around care.
Compliant chat apps enable healthcare professionals to share information and coordinate care quickly and efficiently from anywhere. This means you and your team can address patients’ needs faster and solve problems quicker. In turn, you provide better quality of care and experience better patient outcomes.
How Much Do HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps Cost?
Most HIPAA-compliant texting apps are expensive, and it can be difficult for small healthcare organizations to justify their cost.
Notifyd, for example, starts at $500 per month. Few other platforms advertise their prices—and the ones that do aren’t cheap.
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to access a great HIPAA-compliant messaging app. Connecteam starts at just $29 per month for up to 30 users. Additional users can be added for $0.50 each per month. There’s also a free-for-life Small Business Plan that supports up to 10 users.
FAQs
What messaging app is HIPAA-compliant?
The best HIPAA-compliant texting app is Connecteam. It has powerful security features and affordable pricing plans. Plus, teams of 10 or fewer can use Connecteam 100% free forever.
How do I make my text messages HIPAA-compliant?
The best way to make your text messages HIPAA-compliant is to use a HIPAA-compliant instant messaging platform like Connecteam.
The Bottom Line on HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps
The best HIPAA-compliant texting apps will help your healthcare organization communicate effectively while maintaining regulatory compliance. They’re designed to ensure all messages and other communications are appropriately secured, reducing the risk of a data breach or leak.
Connecteam stands out as the best HIPAA-compliant texting app. It offers robust security features, customizable one-on-one and group chats, and smart notifications to ensure no one misses important messages.
The platform has a ton of other features for your business needs, as well as affordable pricing plans for teams of all sizes.