Streamline patient communication with secure, 2-way texting

Is text messaging HIPAA compliant?

When the proper physical, technical, and administrative safeguards are in place, text messaging can maintain HIPAA compliance. Establishing these security measures ensures your practice can maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and security of any protected health information that you store or communicate with other authorized parties/services.

Can I safely send attachments, such as images, using secure messaging?

Yes, as long as you use the camera feature within the secure messaging app, you can send images that are HIPAA compliant. If you attach a photo that was taken from your camera and uploaded as an attachment, it may NOT be HIPAA compliant.

What HIPAA regulations apply to text messaging?

HIPAA laws were established to protect private health information. HIPAA encompasses the following four rules that control how PHI is safeguarded and managed:

 

Privacy Rule:  Instructions regarding an individual’s right to manage how their identifiable health information is used

Security Rule: A series of guidelines to safely manage the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of electronic PHI as it’s created, distributed, managed, and received (e.g. regular risk assessments)

Enforcement Rule: Provisions for holding covered entities and associates accountable through financial penalties and court procedures

Breach Notification Rule: Requirements for when (within 60 days) and how covered entities and business associates notify related parties about a breach of PHI

What are the HIPAA compliant requirements to protect our patients’ health information?

HIPAA requires that all sensitive information that is stored and transmitted across any mobile device, such as a smartphone, needs to be encrypted. When text messages and attachments are encrypted, third parties who are not permitted access cannot use or read protected health information. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing PHI or other secure information on public Wi-Fi or open cell phone networks, or in the event a device is stolen or lost.

How do I know the text messages are secure and HIPAA compliant?

We take safeguarding patient health information seriously. To protect PHI and adhere to HIPAA and other industry regulations, we secure our text message solution with a comprehensive scope of physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. We also use encryption to ensure sensitive information remains confidential and secure by being unreadable by unauthorized third parties.

How do I choose a HIPAA compliant messaging solution?

It’s important to select a third party who understands and adheres to HIPAA, including the requirements of the Security Rule. To learn more about what to look for in choosing a text messaging provider, read 12 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Healthcare Text Messaging Solution.

What EMRs can integrate with Providertech’s HIPAA compliant texting solution?

Providertech integrates with most major electronic health records and practice management systems, including:

• Allscripts
• AthenaHealth
• Centricity
• Cerner
• Epic
• NextGen

…and more.

How do we manage the users who can access the secure text messaging app?

Message users are managed through integration with your organization’s active directory or by your organization’s system administrator. This ensures access is appropriately authorized and removed as your team changes.

Can I receive messages when I am logged out of the solution?

Yes. When you are logged out of the messaging app, you will still receive mobile or email notifications as you receive new messages.

Can I access my messages when I am not in the office or if I’m in a different office?

Yes. You can access your secure messages anywhere you have internet access.

Besides just texting, how else can our team use Providertech’s secure messaging solution?

In addition to sending secure text messages, your team can use Providertech’s HIPAA compliant messaging solution to share secure attachments, such as images, files, voice messages, and more. We also seamlessly integrate into your EHR or practice management system so that all of your records are connected and streamlined.