Best HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software
To meet the growing demand for telemedicine, health care providers must adopt software tools that enable HIPAA compliant video calls. However, finding the solution that works best for a given practice size and specialty is challenging. To streamline your vendor selection process, we've created a short-list of the best HIPAA compliant video conferencing software.
Table of Contents
- How Does HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Work?
- What is HIPAA Compliance?
- HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Features
- How Much Does HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Cost?
- Best HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software
How Does HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Work?
Conducting appointments using HIPAA compliant video conferencing software follows the same flow as in-person appointments. Each software platform functions slightly differently – here's an overview of the appointment flow in Doxy.me:
First, you create an appointment and invite your patient. Invitations can be sent through text or email and include paperless intake forms.
When the appointment is about to start, the patient clicks on the link and joins the patient waiting room.
Next, you click a button to officially start the appointment. Different tools have features like two-way chat, the ability to transfer files, and charting.
Once the appointment is complete, you can finish your notes, process any e-prescriptions, and submit your invoice.
To learn more about how to use specific software tools, read this guide for using Doxy.me, SimplePractice, and TheraNest for teletherapy.
What is HIPAA Compliance?
According to the Compliancy Group, HIPAA compliance means that an organization satisfies the regulatory standards outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The general purpose of this act is to protect patient information. HIPAA compliance is regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services and enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
HIPAA classifies software providers as Business Associates because they often encounter protected health information (PHI) in their course of work. To become HIPAA compliant, software vendors take numerous measures including:
- Not permanently storing Protected Health Information
- Operating according to the Privacy and Security Rules
- Conducting risk analysis and management
- Having disaster preparation plans in place
- Partaking in ongoing training for all required staff
- Having a Privacy and Security officer
- Signing Business Associates Agreement
HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Features
There are numerous telemedicine vendors that offer a wide range of features. Some solutions are built specifically for telemedicine, while practice management and patient communication systems integrate telemedicine into a broader product suite.
These are the most common features you should look for in your telemedicine software:
- Appointment reminders
- Patient waiting room
- Text chat
- Video and audio connectivity
- File transfer
- Individual and group sessions
- Text and email notifications
- Payment processing
- End-to-end encryption
- Signed BAA
- Breach insurance
- HIPAA, PIPEDA/PHIPA compliant
- Customer support
- Electronic health record or practice management system integration
How Much Does HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software Cost?
Depending on the size of your organization, telemedicine software can range in price from free to over $1,000 per month.
Doxy.me offers a totally free HIPAA compliant subscription that comes with basic features like a patient waiting room, text chat, video calls, and email support. Enterprise solutions like eVisit and Mend offer subscriptions for several hundred dollars per month that are built for large enterprises.
Best HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Software
We've researched the market to find the most popular, highest-quality telemedicine solutions in the market. The solutions below are used by individual providers, growing practices, and large health systems. Read the solution overviews to find the product that is best for your organization size and medical field.
Doxy.me
Doxy.me is a HIPAA compliant platform that streamlines the delivery of telemedicine for over 200,000 providers. In addition to paid subscriptions, Doxy.me offers a plan that includes free HIPAA compliant video conferencing.
Doxy.me is a fantastic option for individuals and group practices who cannot conduct telemedicine through their current practice management systems. You can also learn more by reading our in-depth Doxy.me review.
| Starting Price | $0 per month |
| Compliance | HIPAA, PIPEDA, PHIPA |
| Notable Features | Patient waiting room, text chat, text & email notifications, file transfer, payment processing |
eVisit
eVisit is a telehealth platform built for private practices, clinics, hospitals and health systems. The company's 250 customers use the platform to improve outcomes, revenue and operational efficiency. eVisit customers include Adventist Health System, BlueCross BlueShield, and Honor Health. The company has raised $12 million from investors since its founding in 2013.
eVisit is currently offering VirtualED, a version of its platform specific to coronavirus to hospitals for free through July 31, 2020.
| Starting Price | $600 per month |
| Compliance | HIPAA, COPPA |
| Notable Features | Patient waiting room, intake forms, e-prescribe, billing, charting, EMR integrations |
Mend
Mend is a telehealth platform used by thousands of healthcare organizations of all sizes. Mend's platform comes with the features commonly found in patient communication systems, which integrate directly with the telehealth component. The company also offers excellent customer service that you and your patients can connect with in less than 10 seconds to resolve connectivity issues.
If you are looking for a telehealth platform that comes with integrated patient engagement features to reduce no-shows, then Mend is an excellent option.
| Starting Price | $49 per month |
| Compliance | HIPAA, HITECH, E-Sign, COPPA, ADA WCAG 2.0, PCI, TCPA, 42 CFR Part 2 |
| Notable Features | Appointment reminders, digital intake forms, patient self-scheduling, secure messaging, EHR/PMS integrations |
SimplePractice
SimplePractice is a highly popular practice management system that is used by over 60,000 health and wellness professionals. SimplePractice's product suite includes tools for patient scheduling, paperless intake, plans & notes, billing & invoicing, and HIPAA compliant telehealth.
If you are a health and wellness professional that is in search of a new practice management system, then we highly recommend SimplePractice. You can also learn more by reading our in-depth SimplePractice review.
| Starting Price | $69 per month including telehealth |
| Compliance | HIPAA |
| Notable Features | No patient log-in, patient self-scheduling, appointment reminders, share videos & worksheets |
TheraNest
TheraNest is a practice management system built specifically for behavioral health providers. It's platform includes HIPAA compliant telehealth in addition to other features needed to manage a practice: client intake, scheduling, plans & notes, billing & invoicing.
TheraNest is an ideal option for behavioral health providers searching for a full practice management system. You can also learn more by reading our in-depth TheraNest review.
| Starting Price | $48 per month including telehealth |
| Compliance | HIPAA |
| Notable Features | No patient log-in, up to six session participants, integrated billing |
VSee
Vsee is a telemedicine platform built for all types of healthcare providers. The company has over 1,000 customers including large organizations like HCA, MDLive, Trinity Health, and Walgreens. VSee's Basic Plan is best for individual providers and starts at $49 per month. The company also offers an Enterprise Plan that includes features like patient self-scheduling, post-visit surveys, peripheral streaming, and eligibility & claims integrations.
| Starting Price | $49 per month |
| Compliance | HIPAA |
| Notable Features | Patient waiting room, customized intake forms, picture-sending in chat, payment processing |
Zoom
Zoom is a very popular video conferencing tool with tens of thousands of customers. It is used by all types of businesses and offers a specific solution for healthcare providers. Zoom is a good option for all types of healthcare providers with larger budgets.
| Starting Price | $200 per month |
| Compliance | HIPAA, PIPEDA, PHIPA |
| Notable Features | Patient waiting room, session recording, on-screen annotation |