It appears that the telehealth industry has been significantly impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the current public health emergency will eventually come to an end. It is highly likely that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will initiate enforcement actions against the utilization of video chat platforms that do not comply with HIPAA regulations. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate your chosen video chat tool’s adherence to HIPAA compliance at this time. Within this article, we will explore various prominent video tools that provide HIPAA compliant video conferencing capabilities.
What is a HIPAA Compliant Video Chat Tool?
Before we dive in, first let’s discuss the temporary public health emergency. To ensure continued access to medical care for patients across the country, the HHS temporarily suspended enforcement actions surrounding the use of telehealth offered “in good faith.” This allowed providers to offer video sessions to patients using non-public facing video conferencing tools that are generally not considered HIPAA compliant.
This included tools such as Factime, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Although these tools are still able to be used for telehealth sessions, at some point in the near future, providers wishing to continue to offer telehealth must move away from these platforms, and conduct sessions via a HIPAA compliant video chat platform.
For a platform to be considered HIPAA compliant, it must have certain features.
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: Zoom for Healthcare
Zoom, arguably the most popular video conferencing tool out there, has a platform specifically for healthcare providers. This platform known as “Zoom for Healthcare” is HIPAA compliant; their free version, however, is not. Zoom for Healthcare integrates with medical devices, such as exam cameras and digital stethoscopes. It also has the ability to integrate to EHRs for easy access to medical records.
Features included in Zoom for Healthcare are:
◈ HD video and audio
◈ Mute/unmute tool
◈ Chat messenger tool
◈ In-app file sharing
◈ Transcripts of recordings
◈ Whiteboard tool
◈ Patient waiting room
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: VSee
VSee is a patient-focused video conferencing and practice management tool. During sessions, providers can easily share health records, lab results, CT scans, etc., with patients. It also integrates with wearable devices to give providers real-time access to patients blood pressure and heart rate readings.
Other features include:
◈ VSee compatible medical equipment
◈ Patient self-scheduling
◈ Virtual intake forms
◈ Auto-confirmations via SMS and email
◈ Live annotation and screen sharing
◈ Electronic prescriptions
◈ Ability to add in additional care team members during an appointment
◈ Post-visit patient surveys
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting also offers separate versions of their service for healthcare providers. There are three options that providers can choose from that are HIPAA compliant, the only tool that offers this. GoToMeeting also allows users to have up to 150 individuals join a call on their basic version (this is more than any other platform).
More features include:
◈ HD audio and video
◈ Meeting locks
◈ Unlimited number of meetings
◈ Screen sharing
◈ In-app file sharing
◈ Chat messaging
◈ In-app note-taking
◈ No time limit on meetings
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: SimplePractice Telehealth
SimplePractice Telehealth also offers HIPAA compliant video chat, and practice management tools. Its unique feature is the ability to process insurance information. The platform also allows providers to add patient intake forms, and allows patients to upload photos to aid in treatment.
More features include:
◈ Website booking
◈ Personal calendar synching
◈ Unlimited number of clients
◈ Screen sharing
◈ One-click video calling
◈ Customized note templates
◈ Autopay credit card billing
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: Doxy.me
Doxy.me is the only platform offering free HIPAA compliant video chat, although their paid version offers more features. Doxy.me also follows GDPR, HITECH, PIPEDA, and PHIPA standards. They have a waiting room feature where patients can check-in virtually. Within the waiting room, providers can also add images, videos, or inspirational quotes.
Other features include:
◈ HD audio/video
◈ Chat messenger
◈ Unlimited session length
◈ Unlimited number of sessions
◈ Personalized room URL address
◈ Meeting history
◈ Browser notifications
◈ Text and email reminders
◈ Breach insurance
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: RingCentral for Healthcare
RingCentral for Healthcare is a HIPAA compliant and HITRUST certified video conferencing and patient management tool. RingCentral allows screen sharing so that providers can easily share medical images (such as X-rays and CT scans) and lab results with patients.There is also a chat feature that allows for file sharing. One of its key features is the ability to integrate with your CRM, allowing providers to make virtual annotation on patient charts during sessions.
More features include:
◈ Compliance exports
◈ 24/7 customer support
◈ Team Calendar
◈ Task management tools
◈ Unlimited chat, storage, guest users
HIPAA Compliant Video Chat: Thera-Link
Thera-Link is a tool that was specifically designed with mental health professionals in mind. Thera-Link offers patient management tools such as automated reminders, a directory tool that allows patients to find your practice, and virtual waiting rooms. Providers can also take notes during sessions, and lock notes so that they cannot be altered.
Other features include:
◈ Client self-scheduling
◈ Appointment types
◈ Screen sharing
◈ Mute/unmute buttons
◈ In-session chat messenger
◈ Secure file sharing
