UPDOX PLATFORM

HIPAA Compliant Text Messaging

Enhance patient communication with Updox’s HIPAA-compliant Secure Text, offering fast, safe, and convenient texting for healthcare practices.

Communicate with patients safely and efficiently.

Secure Text HIPAA-compliant texting allows healthcare providers to conveniently communicate with patients without compromising their privacy or protected health information. Encouraging patients to use texting options can save time and keep your phone lines clear for calls.

Boost patient satisfaction with secure, quick, and convenient communications.

Work efficiently with pre-made templates or create your own for common scenarios.

Securely attach forms, photos, or videos, and easily file conversations to the EHR.

Automated appointment reminders can reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

Here’s how Secure Text works in the patient journey.

More effective communications mean both a better bottom line and more satisfied patients. Select phases in the journey below to see how Secure Text can help. 

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Pre-Visit

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Visit

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Post Visit

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Ongoing Care

Pre-Visit

During this phase, your practice is scheduling, collecting patient information, and more. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Quickly communicate ahead of a visit 

Easily contact patients with updates 

Ensure timely patient arrivals 

Visit

Post Visit

This phase involves billing, payments, and following up with the patient. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Follow-up with patients quickly 

Securely share important information 

Easily gather patient feedback 

Ongoing Care

This phase is all about continuing care plans and building patient loyalty. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Communicate on ongoing health plans 

Check in on patient status 

Build patient/provider relationships 

ud-previsit custom icon

Pre-Visit

ud-inactive custom icon

Visit

ud-postvisit custom icon

Post Visit

ud-ongoingcare custom icon

Ongoing Care

Pre-Visit

During this phase, your practice is scheduling, collecting patient information, and more. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Quickly communicate ahead of a visit 

Easily contact patients with updates 

Ensure timely patient arrivals 

Visit

Post Visit

This phase involves billing, payments, and following up with the patient. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Follow-up with patients quickly 

Securely share important information 

Easily gather patient feedback 

Ongoing Care

This phase is all about continuing care plans and building patient loyalty. Secure Text allows your practice to: 

Communicate on ongoing health plans 

Check in on patient status 

Build patient/provider relationships 

Don’t just take our word for it.

Here’s what our many satisfied customers have to say about Secure Text.

Instead of calling patients to remind them of upcoming appointments or the need to schedule a visit so we can review their prescriptions, we can use Updox to text them.

Lisa Scott

Office Manager

One system for your whole practice.

HIPAA-compliant texting is just one of the many tools that make Updox a perfect platform for running your practice.

Secure, preferred channel

Keep patients engaged with the convenient communication method they prefer. Keep your staff productive by reducing the number of phone calls.

Connect across Updox

Securely send data to other Updox platforms, or to outside partners including billing agencies.

One powerful ecosystem

Updox has everything you need to manage your practice, all from one organized place.

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The Updox ecosystem has solutions for virtually any challenge your practice might face. Here are some other tools we think you’ll find useful:

Secure Text FAQ

What is HIPAA-compliant texting?

HIPAA-compliant texting refers to the secure and confidential transmission of Protected Health Information (PHI) via electronic messaging platforms that adhere to the regulations set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This ensures that sensitive patient data is safeguarded and that healthcare providers can communicate efficiently without compromising patient privacy.

Why is HIPAA compliance important for texting?

HIPAA compliance is crucial for texting in healthcare settings to protect patient privacy, avoid unauthorized access to PHI, and maintain the trust of patients. HIPAA violations can result in penalties, legal ramifications, and reputational damage for healthcare providers. That’s why it is essential that healthcare providers use secure messaging solutions that adhere to the regulatory requirements.

What are the key features of a HIPAA-compliant texting platform?

A HIPAA-compliant texting platform must have robust security features, access controls, and audit capabilities to ensure the protection of PHI.

Key features include end-to-end encryption, secure login methods, remote data wiping, automatic logoff, and detailed audit trails. And when necessary, a HIPAA compliant SMS (secure messaging service) platform should also be able to obtain patient consent.

How can healthcare providers ensure HIPAA compliance when texting?

To maintain HIPAA compliance, healthcare providers should establish policies and procedures that outline how texting can be used to transmit protected health information (PHI), who is authorized to receive it, and which secure transmission methods should be used.

Training healthcare staff is also crucial in implementing compliant communication practices and emphasizing patient privacy. Conducting regular audits and risk assessments can help identify and address potential compliance issues.

What are the potential risks and consequences of non-compliant texting in healthcare?

Communicating health information via text in ways that don’t comply with HPAA regulations can put both your patients’ privacy and your practice at risk. Violating HIPAA brings about a range of risks and consequences, including breaches of patient privacy, unauthorized access to PHI, and increased vulnerability to cyberattacks.

These incidents can result in financial penalties, legal action, and reputational damage for healthcare providers. Additionally, non-compliance with HIPAA regulations can undermine patient trust and negatively impact the overall quality of care provided.

Can healthcare providers use regular messaging apps for HIPAA-compliant texting?

Providers should avoid using regular messaging apps such as iMessage or WhatsApp for communicating PHI, as these apps often lack the necessary security features and access controls necessary to meet HIPAA compliance. Healthcare providers should use dedicated HIPAA-compliant texting platforms that are specifically designed to protect sensitive patient information and adhere to regulatory requirements.

What should healthcare providers consider when choosing a HIPAA-compliant texting solution?

When choosing a HIPAA-compliant texting solution, healthcare providers should consider factors such as security features, ease of use, integration capabilities, scalability, and cost. A comprehensive solution should provide powerful security, user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration with existing systems, the ability to scale as needed, and a pricing structure that aligns with the organization’s budget and requirements.

How can patients ensure their PHI is secure when communicating with healthcare providers via text?

Patients can take steps to protect their PHI when communicating with healthcare providers via text by using secure messaging apps recommended by their providers. Always verify the recipient’s identity before sending sensitive information and avoid sharing PHI over public Wi-Fi networks. Patients should always report any suspicious messages or potential breaches to their healthcare providers immediately.

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See how HIPAA-compliant texting can benefit your practice

Get a personalized demo to see exactly how Updox can meet your practice’s unique needs.