Text messaging is generally not compliant with HIPAA standards. There are several reasons why texting might be considered a violation of HIPAA guidelines. For instance, text messages typically involve sending unencrypted SMS messages, which is not a secure method for transmitting personal health information.
Are you wondering whether text messages are HIPAA compliant? This blog will answer your question while stressing the importance of compliance management in healthcare.
Is Texting in Violation of HIPAA?
Generally, texting violates HIPAA, and it is primarily because messaging is not a secure way to share a patient’s information. HIPAA has a set of Technical Safeguards that require healthcare providers to get a patient’s consent to send messages using unsecured channels of communication before sending any messages to the patient.
How Texting Can Be HIPAA Compliant
Texting can meet HIPAA compliance under certain circumstances if strict measures are taken to safeguard the transmitted information. These measures include:
- Encryption: All text messages containing ePHI must be encrypted to ensure security and compliance.
- Content Sensitivity: Texting can be HIPAA compliant depending on the content of the text message and that it doesn’t include personal identifiers.
- Authorized Recipients: Only individuals authorized to handle ePHI should receive such messages
- Informed Consent: Patients must be informed about the risks associated with sending ePHI via SMS and must provide explicit consent acknowledging these risks.
What Are the Technical Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule?
The technical safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule are the most suitable response to questions regarding HIPAA compliance texting. The HIPAA Security Rule defines various aspects, including:
- Access controls.
- Audit controls.
- Integrity controls.
- Methods used for identity authentication.
- The transmission of security mechanisms during the transmission of personal health information.
- The mechanisms used when transmitting personal health information using electronic means.
- Encryption.
What Are the HIPAA Security Rule Requirements?
Given the sensitivity of patient information and the risks that a patient faces if their information gets into the wrong hands, the HIPAA Security Rule includes various requirements. Those requirements include:
- There is a need to limit access to personal health information to authorized users who only need that information to complete their jobs.
- The implementation of systems that can help monitor the activity of authorized users when accessing patients’ personal health information.
- There is a need to introduce policies and procedures that can help prevent the inappropriate alteration or destruction of personal health identification.
- There is a need to encrypt data that is transmitted beyond an organization’s internal firewall, which makes it unusable if that data is intercepted while in transit.
Secure Your Communications With ComplyAssistant
Are you looking to ensure your texting practices are HIPAA compliant? At ComplyAssistant, our compliance management software is uniquely designed to support healthcare organizations. We help you track and manage your internal texting processes, policies, and procedures, along with the documentation of evidence. Let us help you maintain compliance without hindering your communication efficiency. Contact us today and take the first step toward secure, compliant texting solutions.