Health Information Compliance Alert

Some texting Apps even provide a signed BAA for your convenience.

If you decide to communicate via text messaging with patients, or with other providers, your best bet to fend off a data breach is to ensure that the messaging application is as secure as possible.

Jim Sheldon-Dean, founder and director of compliance services for Lewis Creek Systems LLC in Charlotte, VT, suggests the following texting Apps for more secure communications:

• Cortext by Imprivata: This texting solution comes in several versions and the free App provides a secure channel. You can also get upgrades to the App that will provide documentation, reporting, etc. Go to www.imprivata.com/products-solutions/secure-communications/secure-texting-practices.

• TigerText: This is a free App that provides a secure channel. Go to www.tigertext.com/messaging-for-healthcare.

• DocHalo: Check out this secure App at www.dochalo.com/index.html.

The TeleMental Health Institute also offers the following list of companies that provide secure texting with “HIPAA compatibility,” and some of which also provide a signed business associate agreement (BAA):

• Cureatr https://cureatr.com/
• DocsInk www.docsink.com/docsink_hipaa_compliant_texting.html
• HipaaChat www.hipaachat.com/security/
• Hippomsg http://hippomsg.com/features/
• Medigram https://medigram.com/
• miSecure Messages http://www2.misecuremessages.com/how-it-works/security
• On Page http://onpage.com/home/industriesserved/healthcare/
• qliqSOFT https://qliqsoft.com/uploads/ckeditor_assets/attachments/24/qliqSOFT_HIPAA_Security_Statement.pdf
• Spok Mobile www.spok.com/solutions/mobile_communications/hipaa-compliant_texting
• Startel Secure Messaging www.startel.com/solutions/unified-communications/startel-messaging-service
• Vocera Collaboration Suite www.vocera.com/product/vocera-collaboration-suite
• ZIPIT http://zipitconfirm.com/