For companies working inside the well being care sector, notably small companies, adhering to the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) isn’t just a authorized requirement however a necessity to achieve belief and preserve a stable fame.
HIPAA compliance establishes vital protocols for safeguarding non-public affected person well being data, however it may be a bit overwhelming to search out HIPAA-compliant instruments for every little thing your corporation must do.
The intention of this text is to function a information for small companies navigating via software program choices that uphold the stringent requirements set by HIPAA. Our purpose is to help you in selecting essentially the most appropriate HIPAA-compliant software program that not solely meets regulatory requirements but additionally serves your specialised enterprise wants.
What’s HIPAA-compliant software program?
HIPAA-compliant software program refers to any software program resolution that meets and upholds the stringent information privateness and safety provisions of the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act was enacted in 1996 to guard delicate well being data from being shared with out affected person consent or data.
In sensible phrases, for a software program to be deemed HIPAA compliant, it should guarantee safe entry management, encrypt protected well being data (PHI), and preserve an audit log of all interactions with PHI. HIPAA-compliant software program also needs to have a backup mechanism for protected information and guarantee it may be recovered in case of emergencies.
However why is that this essential for a small enterprise inside the medical sector?
These companies typically deal with a major quantity of delicate affected person well being data that needs to be shielded from potential safety breaches. Utilizing HIPAA-compliant software program aids in preserving the privateness and confidentiality of this information, giving peace of thoughts for each the enterprise and the sufferers they serve.
Moreover, utilizing HIPAA-compliant software program indicators to your purchasers, suppliers, and regulatory our bodies that your corporation locations nice significance on information and privateness safety. This, in flip, can play a big function in constructing belief.
Any software program you select to handle affected person information, whether or not it is for scheduling, messaging, accounting, and even your assist desk, ought to guarantee HIPAA compliance.
What makes software program HIPAA compliant?
HIPAA units strict pointers for a way protected well being data (PHI) is saved, transmitted, and accessed. Assembly these requirements is what deems a software program resolution as HIPAA compliant.
Broadly talking, HIPAA-compliant software program upholds two principal safeguards: technical and administrative.
Technical safeguards
Technical safeguards intention to guard your digital information system from all potential angles. These safeguards be certain that solely approved people can entry digital well being information. Listed here are the necessities:
Entry management: Safe usernames and password-protected logins enable solely approved people entry to digital well being data.
Information encryption: This implies all information saved and shared is unreadable to these with out the confirmed decryption keys.
Automated logoff: That is an extra layer of safety to reduce entry to data in case a person leaves their system unattended.
Audit controls: These are detailed data of every interplay involving PHI.
Administrative safeguards
Administrative safeguards are the insurance policies and procedures designed to point out how a enterprise complies with the act:
Safety administration course of: This identifies and analyzes potential dangers to the PHI and implements safety measures in opposition to these dangers.
Safety personnel: Designated safety officers are answerable for growing and implementing the safety insurance policies and procedures.
Workforce coaching and administration: All staff should obtain correct coaching on the insurance policies and procedures with respect to PHI.
The 11 greatest HIPAA-compliant software program for small companies
Selecting the best instruments for your corporation entails contemplating your distinctive wants and making certain the options you choose uphold the stringent HIPAA compliance necessities.
To assist streamline this decision-making course of, we have curated an inventory of prime HIPAA-compliant software program options tailor-made for small companies throughout varied operational areas.
1. Assist Scout: Finest HIPAA-compliant assist desk software program
Assist Scout is a sturdy buyer communication platform that permits your workforce to uphold the stringent information privateness and safety requirements set by HIPAA. We’re dedicated to sustaining ongoing compliance with HIPAA, and we provide signed enterprise affiliate agreements (BAAs) to make sure correct dealing with of protected well being data.
Listed here are some key options and advantages of Assist Scout’s HIPAA-compliant providing:
Safe utility: Assist Scout’s purposes, together with notes, API calls, and Beacon conversations, are encrypted over 256-bit SSL, making certain full safety and confidentiality of knowledge.
Information internet hosting and backup: Buyer information is primarily hosted on Amazon Net Providers (AWS), which is thought for its safety, privateness options, and scalability. Off-site backups for redundancy are additionally offered.
Thread content material management: Inside dialog threads, you may have the choice to edit, delete, or cover thread contents as wanted, growing management over delicate information.
Information accessibility: Assist Scout helps information accessibility by permitting your workforce to entry buyer and dialog information any time through our Mailbox API.
Audits and worker coaching: We conduct annual threat assessments and supply vital HIPAA coaching to staff, additional reinforcing our dedication to information privateness and safety.
However Assist Scout is greater than only a HIPAA-compliant software program. We provide a set of options designed to successfully handle buyer interactions and queries. Our Beacon characteristic lets you embed reside chat immediately in your web site, giving your prospects speedy help and providing them related articles out of your assist middle even earlier than they end asking their questions.
Our shared inbox characteristic organizes buyer conversations right into a single mailbox the place all the workforce can entry, contribute, and collaborate. This characteristic ensures no message will get missed, and each buyer question is addressed promptly and professionally. When managed in line with HIPAA necessities, Assist Scout’s shared inbox is taken into account to be HIPAA compliant.
A notice about HIPAA compliance in Assist Scout:
Whereas most of Assist Scout’s options might be configured to be HIPAA compliant, integrations between Assist Scout and different platforms could not meet HIPAA requirements. As well as, Assist Scout’s AI options and data base resolution, Docs, usually are not thought of to be compliant.
HIPAA-compliant options are included in Assist Scout’s Professional plan which is likely one of the lowest-priced HIPAA-compliant assist desk choices available on the market.
Worth: Free trial out there. Plans together with HIPAA compliance options begin at $65/person monthly.
2. Acuity Scheduling: Finest HIPAA-compliant scheduling software program
Acuity Scheduling stands out as a HIPAA-compliant scheduling software program designed to facilitate the administration of health-related appointments whereas adhering carefully to the stringent HIPAA directives.
Listed here are a few of Acuity Scheduling’s key HIPAA security measures:
Safety measures: Acuity Scheduling’s safety measures have undergone an intensive assessment by a certified third-party data safety guide, making certain your well being data is well-protected.
A number of protections: Acuity supplies extra protections for HIPAA-enabled accounts together with management over the kind of digital well being data included in messages, disabled third-party entry to file uploads, and restricted shopper use of e-mail addresses.
Third-party integrations: The software program gives the power to work with third-party integrations whereas sustaining HIPAA compliance, but it surely additionally offers companies the liberty to disable any integration to satisfy particular HIPAA-related wants.
Adaptability: Acuity Scheduling solely permits HIPAA-compliant providers to an account after the requisite Enterprise Affiliate Settlement (BAA) is entered into, making certain the legality and safety of affected person well being data.
Worth: Free trial out there. Plans together with the options above begin at $49 monthly.
3. Healthie: Finest HIPAA-compliant telemedicine software program
Healthie is a number one HIPAA-compliant telemedicine software program that’s particularly appropriate for companies striving to ship high-quality, virtual-first experiences and set up long-term, significant relationships with purchasers.
Healthie gives a number of options to streamline well being care supply:
Coordinated shopper expertise: Healthie leverages instruments like chat, way of life journaling, and telehealth applications to determine shopper relationships and foster loyalty.
Environment friendly useful resource utilization: The platform lets you save time and assets attributable to its effectivity in managing shopper onboarding and your increasing supplier community.
Sturdy safety: Superior safety protocols are in place to make sure HIPAA, SOC 2, PIPEDA, GDPR, and PCI compliance, guaranteeing the safety of delicate well being information.
Complete EHR performance: Healthie enhances well being care supply with its Digital Well being Information (EHR) characteristic for charting, E-Labs, E-Rx, and different important providers.
Full-stack billing: Healthie additionally delivers seamless billing administration, together with money pay, Superbill, HSA/FSA, and insurance coverage funds.
Worth: Free trial out there. Plans begin at $45 monthly.
4. Invoiced: Finest HIPAA-compliant accounting software program
Invoiced shines as a HIPAA-compliant accounting software program, designed to streamline and safe accounting features for companies within the well being care sector. The platform gives automated and easy accounting options, enabling companies to focus extra on offering high quality well being care providers and fewer on manually managing their accounts receivable operations.
Listed here are among the platform’s key options:
Automated invoicing and collections: Automate your total accounts receivable processes, from producing invoices to managing funds to money purposes.
Quick, built-in fee resolution: The software program lets you simply onboard and begin accepting funds in minutes and helps a number of fee choices together with direct debit (ACH, SEPA, Bacs, and extra), bank cards, and digital playing cards.
Actual-time stories: Invoiced supplies entry to complete, real-time stories about your organization’s full invoice-to-cash life cycle along with money assortment forecasting and multi-entity reporting.
Seamless accounting system integration: Invoiced integrates along with your present accounting platform, enabling you to sync invoices, funds, and buyer information robotically.
Worth: Plans begin at $400 monthly.
5. TranscribeMe: Finest HIPAA-compliant transcription software program
TranscribeMe is a HIPAA-compliant transcription software program identified for its quick and correct transcription providers that cater to well being care professionals and establishments. TranscribeMe makes use of superior AI expertise in addition to skilled transcriptionists.
Key options of TranscribeMe embrace:
Prime-rated safety: Using the business’s greatest data safety protocols, TranscribeMe ensures information is encrypted and securely maintained.
Compliant workflows: TranscribeMe gives workflows which might be compliant with HIPAA and GDPR protocols.
Buyer satisfaction: The platform is thought for its high-quality transcription providers, wonderful customer support, and versatile transcription options.
Worth: Request a quote.
6. SignNow: Finest HIPAA-compliant software program for groups
SignNow is a HIPAA-compliant e-signature software program that ensures safe and environment friendly signing of delicate medical paperwork utilizing their airSlate characteristic.
Listed here are a few of SignNow’s key options:
Licensed encryption protocols: SignNow employs licensed AES-256 bit encryption for the protected storage and transmission of delicate medical data, making it a compliant instrument for dealing with digital signatures in a medical setting.
Court docket-admissible audit path: The platform maintains a complete, court-admissible audit path for all paperwork processed. This digital register data all actions and modifications made to a doc, together with entry time, edits, signing standing, and downloads.
Approved signers solely: The platform ensures that paperwork are eSigned by approved signers, prohibiting unauthorized sharing or entry to make sure compliance.
Worth: Plans together with the options above begin at $50/person monthly.
7. OhMD: Finest HIPAA-compliant messaging software program
Within the area of communications expertise, OhMD stands out as a HIPAA-compliant messaging software program providing well being care organizations environment friendly communication instruments tailor-made to a delicate medical surroundings.
OhMD’s key options embrace:
Safe texting: OhMD supplies a HIPAA-compliant texting surroundings that offers sufferers peace of thoughts when discussing their well being.
Automated texts and call-to-text: The platform makes use of automated texts and converts affected person calls into textual content messages to cut back maintain instances and voicemails that probably decelerate your response intervals.
Dwell internet chat: OhMD makes it simpler for sufferers to ask questions with a safe reside chat proper in your web site.
EHR integrations: OhMD integrates with over 85 digital well being report options.
Video visits: Providing comfort to each sufferers and suppliers, OhMD options safe video visits, letting you join with sufferers in a single faucet.
Worth: Free trial out there. Plans begin at $200 monthly.
8. Voice by nVoq: Finest HIPAA-compliant dictation software program
Voice by nVoq is a HIPAA-compliant dictation software program designed to assist well being care organizations with environment friendly, extremely correct speech recognition. Primarily engineered for post-acute care organizations, Voice by nVoq is a cloud-based resolution that reduces the documentation burden on clinicians and aids in capturing affected person narratives securely.
Key options of Voice by nVoq embrace:
HIPAA/HITECH compliance: nVoq’s dictation software program is compliant with each HIPAA and HITECH laws, making certain safe dealing with of delicate affected person information.
Medical vocabulary recognition: The software program includes a recognition system that understands an in depth vary of medical jargon, bettering the general accuracy of the dictated textual content.
Integration with EHR methods: Voice by nVoq can be utilized immediately inside your EHR system.
Worth: Request a demo.
9. OneDesk: Finest HIPAA-compliant venture administration software program
Within the realm of venture administration instruments, OneDesk caters to well being care organizations with its HIPAA-compliant software program.
Key options of OneDesk embrace:
Safe platform: OneDesk supplies a excessive degree of safety, benefitting from internet hosting on Amazon Net Providers (AWS), providing information encryption over SSL, frequent information backups, person authentication and user-level entry controls, and extra.
Streamlined workflow automation: The automation instruments can assist cut back time-consuming repetitive duties. As an example, you possibly can arrange actions to robotically assign duties, create new duties or initiatives, or ship e-mail notifications primarily based on sure circumstances.
A number of work views: OneDesk permits for planning and scheduling duties in essentially the most appropriate format on your workforce, like Gantt charts or Kanban boards.
Efficient collaboration: OneDesk’s built-in messenger permits for in-context communication round duties. Moreover, with e-mail integration, messages might be despatched on to purchasers or stakeholders.
Analytical capabilities: The platform permits for real-time analytics with quite a lot of charts and graphs to maintain observe of KPIs.
Worth: Free trial out there. Plans begin at $11.99/person monthly.
10. Lytec: Finest HIPAA-compliant billing software program
Lytec software program has been a trusted and confirmed medical billing system for over 25 years, equipping groups with course of optimization instruments whereas serving to to make sure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Lytec’s key options embrace:
Built-in scheduling and billing: Lytec combines each scheduling and billing in a single platform, offering superior scheduling options like single or a number of useful resource view, waitlists, and customised appointment stories in addition to simple administration of billing processes.
Seamless affected person accounting: The software program simply tracks accounts receivables, insurance coverage allowed quantities, and well timed submitting monitoring. It additionally helps handle collections.
Reporting instruments: Over 50 reporting choices can be found to go well with completely different analytical necessities.
Add-ons for enhanced performance: Lytec supplies a spread of add-ons to help with bank card processing, affected person statements, safe e-mail and textual content messaging, and automatic appointment reminders.
Worth: Schedule a demo.
11. Zoom for Healthcare: Finest HIPAA-compliant video conferencing software program
Zoom for Healthcare is particularly designed to allow well being care organizations to offer high quality care remotely. It is a complete telehealth platform that not solely meets essential HIPAA and HITECH requirements but additionally gives a spread of customizable settings and options to greatest match the particular wants of every well being care supplier.
Key options of Zoom for Healthcare embrace:
Excessive-quality video and audio: Zoom supplies high-definition video and crystal-clear audio to make sure efficient communication throughout distant consultations.
EHR/EMR integration: Zoom integrates with the digital well being report and digital medical report methods to streamline processes and improve productiveness.
Recording and transcription: Healthcare suppliers can report affected person consultations and have the content material transcribed for scientific documentation or assessment.
Digital ready rooms: Zoom for Healthcare gives digital ready rooms the place sufferers can wait on-line earlier than their session begins, very like they might in a bodily clinic or hospital.
Breakout rooms: This characteristic facilitates well being care training by permitting the host to separate assembly individuals into separate periods for group dialogue or one-on-one session.
Worth: Plans begin at $15.99/person monthly.
The important function of HIPAA-compliant software program
If you happen to’re working a small enterprise within the well being care sector, you possibly can’t afford to compromise on information safety. HIPAA-compliant software program not solely secures delicate affected person information but additionally gives immense advantages to your corporation. Delivering a high quality service whereas sustaining sufferers’ belief is the last word win-win, and it is obtainable with the correct instruments and software program.
On the forefront of HIPAA-compliant assist desk software program choices is Assist Scout. We provide a user-friendly shared inbox characteristic that effectively manages buyer inquiries through e-mail and reside chat — all underneath HIPAA pointers, enabling you to construct higher relationships along with your sufferers whereas making certain their non-public data is protected.
Assist Scout strikes a significant steadiness between sustaining HIPAA compliance and delivering environment friendly buyer assist. However you do not have to take our phrase for it. Join a free trial or a reside demo at this time, and expertise the true worth of our HIPAA-compliant service firsthand.