Top 20 HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps

Introduction 

In the current world where data is the most important asset, keeping patient information secure and private is an important prerequisite for healthcare practices. Protecting the personal health information of patients ensures higher levels of care and privacy and establishes trust between the patient and the healthcare professional. 

To ensure that all healthcare practices commit to protecting patient information, HIPAA has set certain guidelines around the storage and transmission of PHI. Since texting is not HIPAA-compliant by default, you need to invest in a HIPAA-compliant texting service to ensure seamless and secure communication with your patients and staff members. 

In this article, we’ll be talking about the top 20 HIPAA-compliant texting apps for your medical office. These are the top apps we’re going to explore in the blog:

Before delving to the nitty gritty of each of these apps, let’s first explore everything about HIPAA-compliant texting apps.

What is a HIPAA-Compliant Texting App?

A HIPAA-Compliant Texting App is a texting software that allows seamless and secure communication with patients. Such apps have all the necessary security protocols in place to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. With these apps, you can protect the integrity of sensitive PHI and prevent any unauthorised disclosures. 

What is HIPAA? 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that requires covered entities and business associates to establish standards to protect the personal health information of patients.  Under the HIPAA Act comes the HIPAA Privacy Rule which requires all healthcare practices to establish appropriate safeguards to protect sensitive patient information or PHI being used and disclosed. 

What is PHI?

Protected Health Information is any information that is related to a patient’s health. This information could be their health history, their current health status, their genetic information, their contact details, and any other piece of information that is required by covered entities.

The HIPAA Security Rule, also a part of HIPAA, specifically takes care of electronically protected health information (ePHI) and implements administration for safeguarding confidential information. As a healthcare professional, you must adhere to these guidelines and make sure that all PHI is being stored and transmitted securely with the patient’s explicit consent.

For the same, you need a HIPAA-compliant texting service. Before we move on to the best HIPAA compliant texting apps for your practice, checkout this cool video about HIPAA-compliant texting:

Why Do You Need A HIPAA-Compliant Texting Platform?

The present tech-forward arena and the digitally inclined population have found medical texting to be an ideal means of communication, for obvious reasons: it is convenient, more responsive, asynchronous, and immediate in nature. However, patient texting, by default, is NOT HIPAA-compliant. But it is also not true that every piece of information shared via text is a violation of HIPAA. It depends on the content and context of the message sent or shared. What can make messages compliant or non-compliant is their adherence to the HIPAA privacy and security rules. 

Here are some key reasons why you need a HIPAA texting app: 

• Safeguard patient information: HIPAA texting apps implement a host of security measures to keep patient data secure. These measures can be end-to-end encryption, multi-tenant architecture, two-factor authentication, audit controls, access controls, and more. This will help prevent sensitive ePHI from any unauthorized access and also any potential data breach. 
• Avoid legal action: As a healthcare professional, it is natural to adapt texting as a mode of communication with patients and staff. However, patient texing isn’t HIPAA compliant on its own. Hence, you cannot share any sensitive patient data without the requisite safeguards. Any non-compliance can land you in trouble and can result in hefty fines and even jail time. If you wish to avoid such repercussions, make sure to sign up with a HIPAA texting app. 
• Boost patient engagement: When you use a HIPAA messaging app for communication, you’re also protecting patient information. Since patients know that their information is secure and being handled with care, they build a sense of trust with you. This further boosts patient engagement significantly. 
• Streamline operations: With a HIPAA texting app, you get to automate routine tasks like sending appointment reminders, doing follow-up communication, and answering queries. Since many tasks get automated, your staff can direct their time and energy towards providing excellent care to their patients. 
• Elevate patient experience: A medical patient messaging system allows healthcare providers to connect with their patients securely, and answer queries, resolve concerns, and provide remote care in real-time. This ease of communication while also maintaining HIPAA compliance significantly elevates patient experience and helps practices grow their patient base. 

Who Needs A HIPAA- Compliant Texting App? 

It’s simple, if you’re a healthcare professional or a business dealing with patient data, you need a HIPAA-compliant messaging service. Here are some key businesses that need to invest in a secure messaging system for healthcare: 

1. Veterinary clinics: HIPAA-compliant messaging services can be used by veterinary clinics to communicate securely with pet parents in real-time, and even offer remote consultations whenever required.  
2. Medical device companies: HIPAA-compliant texting apps can help medical device companies maintain HIPAA compliance, text securely with your contacts, send marketing messages, and build valuable relationships that last.  
3. Primary care services: HIPAA-compliant messaging apps can help primary clinics boost doctor efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and save valuable time for the front desk.  
4. Dental practices: There are multiple ways in which you can use text messaging for your dental office. With a HIPAA-compliant texting app for dentists, handling missed calls, missed texts, generating reviews, and providing quality patient care becomes a breeze.  
5. Therapists: HIPAA-compliant texting for therapists is a game changer as it helps boost clinic productivity, helps communicate efficiently with patients, and reduce patient response times.
6. Optometry clinics: Optometrists can use HIPAA-compliant texting apps to attract more patients requiring eye care, keep their schedules full by reducing no-shows, and also maintain adherence with HIPAA guidelines.  
7. Pediatric clinics: A HIPAA-compliant texting service can help pediatricians deliver urgent care to children, and continue to offer quality care across their entire journey; thereby putting the parents’ minds at ease.  
8. Medical offices: HIPAA-compliant text messaging for medical offices helps boost patient engagement, create a better and safe environment for patients since they know their information is in secure hands, and also saves you from hefty penalties that result from non-compliance.
9. Physicians: Physicians use HIPAA-compliant texting software to answer patient queries, share their diagnosis, and deliver urgent care; while ensuring secure transmission of information throughout the process.
10. Orthopedic clinics: With end-to-end encryption, audit controls, and secure messaging; Orthopedic clinics can safely interact with their patients and staff members through a robust HIPAA-compliant texting app.  

Features To Look For In HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Service

AI Capabilities

The very first feature that you need to look for in your secure patient messaging app is AI. Make sure the app is powered by AI, as it will help you provide excellent patient care, improve clinical outcomes, and boost operational efficiency. Right from streamlining reporting and documentation to automating compliance monitoring, from creating policies to protect PHI to automating routine tasks; sky is the limit when you have AI as a key functionality in your chosen software.

Access Management 

If your practice has multiple locations, then you should be able to assign who can access information of patients associated with the locations. The healthcare messaging app should have the capability of assigning multiple roles to people and the degree to which they can access information in the app. The medical patient messaging system should be able to track the activity of the user/manager in order to go back and track usage in case of any data leaks.

Audit Control

Audit control is another very important feature that you must look for while choosing the ideal patient messaging software for your practice. Implementing audit controls will help you manage the activity with regards to transmission and storage of PHI. it will also help you detect any unauthorized access. This is not possible with normal texting as normal texting is nit decure by default. By implementing the necessary audit controls you will be able to protect patient data, while also maintaining HIPAA compliance. 

Mass texting

Your chosen HIPAA-compliant text messaging software should offer mass text messaging, to help you send text messages to multiple people at once. You can also personalize such messages at scale with the right patient messaging software and also ensure compliance. Doing so will save you a lot of time and effort. 

Automated Texting 

If you wish to save time and effort with respect to daily communication, automated texting is exactly what you need. Look for a medical communication app that allows you to set up automation for routine communication. This will help save manual effort to a great extent and will also ensure that all queries are being taken care of. You can use automated messaging for sending appointment reminders, surveys, payment links, and seasonal greetings. 

Restrict Downloading Information

The HIPAA-compliant texting app should allow you to control the download and storage of data. It means that the users should only be able to download data that they have access to when necessary. Make sure that your chosen platform has the requisite data storage practices to safeguard PHI. Doing so will prevent the data from unauthorised access and theft.  

Auto log-off

The HIPAA-compliant medical patient messaging system should be able to auto-log off after a certain period of inactivity. This will ensure that any inactivity doesn’t result in data theft. Auto-log off detects if the system in use has been inactive for a long period of time. This detection is done through mouse movements, key pressing, and clicks. If no such activity is detected, then the system would log off automatically. Make sure that your secure patient messaging app encompasses such a feature. 

Integration With EHR/EMR

The HIPAA-compliant texting app should integrate with your EHR, which would allow you to save conversations to your EHR for auditing purposes and also allow automated scheduling of messages. Integration wil your existing tools will streamline clinical and administrative workflows and facilitate the seamless storage of medical records. When you sync your healthcare texting app with your current EHR, you can easily access all information on a single dashboard, without having to juggle multiple tabs. 

No Open Source

Make sure that your HIPAA secure messaging app isn’t open source. Open-source apps by definition are not HIPAA-compliant. Even if you’re going for an open source platform, make sure that it has all standard protocols in place to ensure HIPAA compliance. If it doesn’t encompass the compliances you require, we’d suggest you go for a non-open source patient messaging service. 

TCPA Compliance

In addition to complying with HIPAA guidelines, your chosen HIPAA messaging service must also offer prompts around TCPA compliance. This means getting the explicit written consent of your customers before sending them marketing communications and giving the customers an option to opt out of receiving text messages. Having such compliance will save you from hefty penalties and will maintain strong relationships with your patients. 

Message Lifespan

Look for a HIPAA-compliant texting app that allows you to send messages that automatically get deleted from both the sender’s and receiver’s phones after a certain period of time. Since messages are deleted after a certain period of time, you need not be worried about any unauthorized access, even if the device gets stolen. Make sure that the secure texting app you choose has such a functionality. 

Two-way texting 

The HIPAA complaint messaging platform that you pick must offer seamless two-way communication between you and your patients or staff members. Two-way texting helps you connect with your patients in real time. With such a functionality, you can reduce calls related to apppointment booking and query resolution since all such things can be handled via text. Being able to offer real-time communication and easy accessibility for your patients will only enhance their experience and overall satisfaction. 

Interoperability

Interoperability is an important feature if you want to exchange data more efficiently and offer better and more responsive patient care, by tackling all the communication barriers. Facilitating the exchange of data between different systems helps improve data quality, minimizes manual effort, boosts productivity, reduces cost significantly, and allows real time access to medical records for you. It is a great functionality to have in your medical patient messaging system.  

Threat Detection

The app should be constantly improvised to detect threats that can potentially compromise the integrity of the PHI. threat detection allows you to stop a cyberthreat before it becomes a full-fledged breach. Such a functionality will reduce the risk of damage and will safeguard patient data. Make sure that your chosen HIPAA secure messaging platform has such a functionality. 

Real-time Alerts and Alarms

Make sure to pick a HIPAA-compliant texting software that allows you to route real-time clinical alerts and notifications to the right providers or staff members to ensure better and more efficient patient care. This functionality will come in handy when you have to deliver time-sensitive information to your patients or staff members. Whether you want to send important updates related to your patients’ accounts or appointments, or communicate changes in your schedule, this feature is a must-have in your HIPAA compliant secure text messaging software. 

Encryption

If you want to keep sensitive patient data confidential, you need to invest in a HIPAA-compliant medical texting service that offers end-to-end encryption. The platform must also offer a separate secure gateway for patients to access their PHI and communicate securely. Encryption will help you comply with industry regulations, build trust with your patients, and maintain the integrity of data. 

Two-Factor Authentication

Your HIPAA compliant messaging app must offer two-factor authentication, which is an added layer of security. With such a feature, it becomes harder for hackers to gain access to data because there’s an additional password involved. This can further help reduce the risk of data breaches, help ensure compliance with security standards, and also be convenient for the users.   

Top 20 HIPAA-Compliant Texting Apps 

1. Emitrr
2. LumaHealth 
3. Weave 
4. Podium
5. OhMD
6. RevenueWell
7. Klara
8. TigerConnect 
9. SolutionReach 
10. Nexhealth 
11. RocketChat 
12. MessageDesk
13. SimpleTexting 
14. Textline 
15. Textedly 
16. Avochato 
17. PatientCalls 
18. ProviderTech 
19. TextRequest
20. HeyMarket   

Emitrr 

What is Emitrr? 

Emitrr is a secure, HIPAA-compliant texting app that offers intuitive communication solutions to healthcare providers and practices across different domains. This medical texting service complies with the HIPAA and HITECH guidelines, ensuring that customer data is secure and can only be accessed by authorized personnel. Emitrr customers can have the text body and the data transfer encrypted and can also have their data deleted. Emitrr maintains the required technical, physical, and administrative safeguards to ensure that all PHI and ePHI are safe and private. 

With this secure text messaging app for healthcare, you can send reminders to your patients, gather insurance-related details, help them book appointments, send emergency notifications and alerts, communicate with them in real-time, and also collaborate with your staff seamlessly. While automation saves 3-4 hours of your daily time and reduces staff burnout, integration with your EMR/EHR,PMS will bring all your tasks onto one single dashboard, thereby streamlining your workflows. 

Features of Emitrr

• End-to-end encryption: Ensures that all messages in transit are encrypted and cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.  
• Access controls: Create activity logs for your users to track data access and monitor overall activity. Limit who all can access patient data on your portal. 
• File sharing: Quickly share important documents like lab reports, insurance details, and more through a secure portal that can’t even be intercepted by carriers.  
• Data privacy: Emitrr implements the necessary data protection protocols to ensure privacy of sensitive PHI which includes storage and sharing of patient data.   
• 2FA: Get an added layer of security to ensure complete security of patient data. You can set two factor authentication for your patients whenever you onboard them to ensure that their data is free from any security breaches. 
• Secure text messaging: Enable secure text messaging for healthcare and get redirected to a secure gateway to access and share data with your patients.  
• Real-time alerts: Send text message alerts to patients in real time. These could be regarding sudden changes in appointment schedules, updates in services, or other emergencies. 
• Integration with tools: Integrate Emitrr with your EMR/EHR,PMS and relieve yourself from the hassle of switching context and juggling with multiple tabs. 
• Text messaging: Enjoy various texting capabilities such as two-way texting, group texting, schedule-based messaging, mass text messaging, and more to ensure seamless communication and engagement with patients. 
• Online appointment scheduling: Allow patients to schedule their own appointments with just a single click. Online appointment scheduling can be a game-changer if you’re dealing with no-shows.
• Automation: Automate communications by using customizable SMS templates and canned responses for frequently asked questions. 
• Text-enable number: Get your existing number text-enabled to enjoy both calling and texting from the same number. 

Pros of Emitrr 

• Intuitive, easy to use HIPAA compliant texting app 
• Get existing number text-enabled for smooth texting 
• Integrate with 500+ business tools
• Get real-time phone and chat support 
• Unique secure texting functionality 
• Advanced texting capabilities 

Cons of Emitrr 

• More advanced features are ready to be launched 

Emitrr Support Channels 

Emitrr offers support across a variety of channels including phone, chat, email, FAQs, knowledge base and more. If you need real-time support, you can always get in touch with a live representative for the same. 

Emitrr Pricing

Emitrr offers flexible pricing plans, tailored to your specific needs and use cases. Please contact support for the same. 

Emitrr Reviews 

Appreciate that my internal team can see all messages going back and forth between field staff. It enables us to comminate the same message and support one another when even when we are working in different roles.

I LOVE Emitrr. The support you get is wonderful, the app is easy to use and they have been incredibly responsive. As a small business, we needed a messaging platform that wouldn’t break the bank and this meets all our needs (and then some) without making us feel overwhelmed. We came from Podium (had a terrible experience with them) and feel so valued at Emitrr!

Source: Capterra

LumaHealth 

What is LumaHealth? 

LumaHealth is a secure messaging app for healthcare that aims to simplify patient journey through functionalities like appointment reminders and recalls, online appointment scheduling, waitlist management, patient feedback, and more. This HIPAA-compliant SMS platform caters to specialty groups, enterprises health systems, primary care practices, and more. The platform offers a variety of capabilities to ensure smooth communication with patients and staff members. It also integrates with popular EHRs to streamline operations and reduce manual workload. 

Features of LumaHealth 

• EMR integration: Integrate LumaHealth with your existing EHR/EMR for easy data access
• Automation: Automate outreach for effective patient communication, send customized reminders and recall texts. 
• Broadcast messaging: Send emergency alerts and notifications to multiple people at once. 
• Scheduling: Set up rule-based scheduling of appointments, allow patients to book appointments via text. 
• Reviews and reputation management: Easily collect patient feedback and manage your healthcare practice’s reputation.  

Pros of LumaHealth

• Integrates with multiple EHRs 
• Has privacy controls in place to ensure data security 
• Has a modern, easy to use interface 
• Offers good automation capabilities

Cons of LumaHealth

• No live support is available  
• Can be expensive for small practices 
• Offers very limited features 
• The customization is limited 

LumaHealth Support Channels 

LumaHealth entertains queries and concerns only through email/ticketing. A lot of customers have complained about the lack of live/real-time support on this platform. 

LumaHealth Pricing 

Lumahealth has not mentioned any pricing plans on its website. According to Software Advice, this platform charges about $250 per month from its customers. 

LumaHealth Reviews 

Not having access to patient account numbers and not being able to exclude patients by insurance companies are our major hurdles. It is also a bit pricy and the contract terms are long and inflexible.

Our office has appreciated being a part of test group for two way texting. We also love that it integrates with our EMR so it can automatically send messages to patients after they leave their appointments asking them to rate us. 

Source: Capterra

Weave 

What is Weave? 

Weave is a medical texting app that caters to small healthcare businesses and offers HIPAA-compliant texting capabilities. This medical patient messaging system also offers unified communication solutions for medical offices operating in individual locations. Weave particularly serves optometrists, dental practitioners, veterinarians, medical spas, plastic surgeons, and physical therapists. It offers a range of capabilities, with easy to use AI tools. 

Features of Weave

• Online appointment scheduling: Allow your patients to schedule their own appointments with your medical practice as per their convenience.
• Two way texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations with your patients to solve their concerns and queries in real-time.  
• Team chat: Connect with your medical office team from anywhere and keep your staff members in the loop for all communications.  
• Reminders: Send automated SMS reminders to patients ahead of their appointments to reduce no-shows.   
• Reviews: Send SMS review request to patients and monitor your online reputation.  

Pros of Weave

• The product is easy to use 
• The customer support team is responsive 
• You get 10DLC support 

Cons of Weave

• The product is quite expensive 
• The customer support is inconsistent 
• There can be frequent technical disruptions 

Weave Support channels 

Weave extends support through Chat, Phone, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, and Knowledge Base. 

Weave Pricing

Weave offers 4 pricing plans: 

• Ultimate: $399 per month + $750 setup fees 
• Pro: Need to contact support 
• Elite: Need to contact support
• Essentials: Need to contact support

Weave Reviews 

Having to navigate throught a lot of places to get info on one patient.

I like the compatibility with my companies office software that we use. It is easy to use and user friendly. It wasnt a long or hard process to integrate and implement into our office staff. Weave is used in our office 5 days a week, and we use both the phone service and Weave app for communications.

Source: Capterra

Podium

What is Podium? 

Podium is a popular secure texting app for healthcare that offers text automation capabilities. This healthcare messaging app is ideal for local practices. It caters particularly to medical spas and dental practices and offers solutions pertaining to patient acquisition, engagement, retention, and recall. Podium empowers healthcare practices with AI-powered automation solutions that boost patient communication and enhance patient care.  

Features of Podium

• EHR integration: Integrate Podium with your existing EMR/EHR/PMS to streamline workflows and improve productivity. 
• Text message scheduling: Schedule text messages for your patients to keep your calendar full and reduce no-shows.
• Team collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with your staff members and boost staff productivity. 
• Text-enable number: Text-enable your existing business number to converse with patients via text and call.  

Pros of Podium

• It offers a range of texting features for your medical office
• One can seamlessly manage patient interactions 
• It offers good SMS automation capabilities  

Cons of Podium

• The product is quite expensive 
• The interface is user friendly 
• The customer service is inconsistent 

Podium Support channels 

Podium extends support in the form of Chat, Phone, Knowledge Base, and Email/Help Desk. 

Podium Pricing

Podium offers 3 pricing plans: 

• Core: $399 per month 
• Pro: $599 per month 
• Signature: Need to contact support  

Podium Reviews 

The least desirable component of this platform is cost, especially if you happen to be looking at it as a platform to deploy for use with multiple locations. 

Podium is a great and effective program that allows you to effectively communicate with customers, receive feedback from them, and get reports on your communication.

Source: G2

OhMD

What is OhMD? 

OhMD is a HIPAA-compliant medical texting service for doctors, dental clinics, hospitals, and other medical offices. It offers a range of texting and calling capabilities, together aiming to improve patient acquisition, retention, and overall engagement. This HIPAA-compliant messaging service caters to all types of healthcare practices, including small practices and enterprises. The software integrates seamlessly with your business tools, which further helps you streamline patient journey. 

Features of OhMD

• Two-way texting: Communicate one-on-one with your patients and answer important queries and concerns in real-time. 
• Automated texting: Automate patient outreach for effective communication, send customized reminders and recall texts for your medical practice.  
• Webchat to text: Convert website conversations into text and keep potential patients engaged.  
• Broadcast texting: Send emergency text alerts and notifications to multiple people at once.  
• Team collaboration: Communicate efficiently with team members by tracking user activity, assigning roles, audit conversations and more.  
• EHR integration: Integrate OhMD with your existing EHR/EMR for easy data access 

Pros of OhMD

• The texting features are intuitive and easy to use 
• There’s a free version available for people to try 
• The platform is easy to navigate 
• The customer service is responsive 

Cons of OhMD

• There can be frequent glitches with the app 
• The pricing can be expensive for individual practices 
• Not all features are available in the app version

OhMD Support channels 

OhMD offers email support, chat support, and phone support. 

OhMD Pricing 

OhMD’s plans start from $200 per month, and if you need more EHR integrations and advanced capabilities like review management and custom BAA, you need to pay additional fee for the same. 

OhMD Reviews 

I’ve only been using OhMD for about 2 months so I’m not sure what all I can do with it. What I use it for is to communicate with patients about scheduling appointments. I don’t like that I can’t message patients directly, and when they message me back, my entire office can see the conversation. I wish it were more private.

I loved that I was able to text with clients and still be HIPAA compliant. That we can upload the texting to my online platform to save the records. Plus that it is free for me and the clients.

Source: GetApp

RevenueWell

What is RevenueWell? 

RevenueWell is a leading HIPAA-compliant patient texting system that aims to transform patient engagement in dental practices. RevenueWell empowers dental practices to enhance streamline workflows, patient relationships, and boost practice growth; while also maintaining HIPAA compliance along the way. This medical patient messaging app integrates seamlessly with your EHR/EMR and offers capabilities that help boost overall practice growth. Right from marketing automation to workflow optimization, from end-to-end patient communication to practice productivity; RevenueWell offers solutions to help dental practices attract new patients and build relationships.

Features of RevenueWell

• SMS automation: Send automated patient appointment reminder texts to reduce no-shows.  
• Two-way texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations with patients and answer their concerns and queries in real-time. 
• Online appointment scheduling: Allow patients to schedule their own appointments from the comfort of their homes.  
• Review and reputation management: Send automated review requests and manage your online reputation.  

Pros of RevenueWell

• The patient messaging system is intuitive and easy to use 
• The customer service is responsive 
• It saves a lot of time and effort for the staff 
• It integrates with internal tools for dental practices 

Cons of RevenueWell

• The mobile version of this patient texting software isn’t responsive 
• Customers report frequent glitches in the patient messaging software
• The features are limited and have basic customization options  

RevenueWell Support channels 

RevenueWell extends support via phone and email. 

RevenueWell Pricing

RevenueWell offers three pricing plans: 

• Starter: $189 per month  
• Professional: Need to contact support 
• Premium: Need to contact support  

RevenueWell Reviews 

RevenueWell saves me so much time! I am the only person working the front desk, so the automated calls and text messages keep the phone lines open. 

There are several times almost daily that the dashboard has to re-boot, and that interrupts anything we may be in the middle of.

Source: Capterra

Klara

What is Klara? 

Klara is a secure and HIPAA-compliant secure texting app for healthcare that allows healthcare providers to communicate with their customers easily. It offers encryption, 2FA, and secure texting; all of which help keep sensitive information safe and compliant with the HIPAA guidelines. Klara operates in 4 core areas, namely patient communication, provider collaboration, workflow automation, and telemedicine. 

Features of Klara

• Workflow optimization: Optimize administrative processes for your healthcare practice.
• Telehealth: Get access to integrated tools for online consultations and remote patient care.
• Automated healthcare texting: Automate patient outreach for effective communication, send customized reminders and recall texts.   
• Missed call text back: Send an automated text message every time you miss a call. 
• EHR integration: Integrate Klara with your existing EMR/EHR/PMS to streamline workflows and improve productivity.  

Pros of Klara

• The platform is intuitive and easy to use. 
• It facilitates secure and timely communication. 
• It offers a variety of features 
• This platform is mobile responsive 

Cons of Klara

• The customer service is not responsive
• Integration with existing tools is cumbersome 
• Team collaboration capability is unreliable 

Klara Support channels 

Klara offers support via chat, email, and FAQs. 

Klara Pricing

Need to contact support. 

Klara Reviews 

What I like most about Klara is how I am able to send out appointment reminders to the patients in a timely manner and they are able to tell me what their needs are.

I do wish it were better integrated into our EHR, but for the most part, it does what we need it to do. And, we’re always getting new functionality so I’m always pleased to see where they go next.

Source: SoftwareAdvice

TigerConnect 

What is TigerConnect? 

TigerConnect is a secure medical messaging app, aiming at transforming patient communication through texting and telehealth solutions. TigerConnect enables efficient, patient-centered care in the digital age by keeping text messages HIPAA-compliant. This medical patient messaging system serves healthcare providers, healthcare organisations and professional services. 

Features of TigerConnect

• Medical texting: Protect patient data and ensure HIPAA compliant texting for medical professionals with secure messaging. 
• Telehealth solutions: Engage in secure virtual conversations with patients and staff.  
• EMR integration: Integrate with your internal tools to streamline workflows. 
• Two-way texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations with patients to book appointment and address queries. 
• Group texting: Create closed groups with patients and caregivers for seamless communication. 

Pros of TigerConnect

• It offers HIPAA-compliant medical messaging
• The user interface is intuitive 
• The secure texting functionality is great 

Cons of TigerConnect

• The integration with internal tools can be cumbersome 
• The features and customization options are limited 
• Customer support isn’t very responsive 

TigerConnect Support channels 

TigerConnect extends support through phone, chat, live rep, email, and knowledge base. 

TigerConnect Pricing

As per SelectHub, TigerConnect’s pricing starts from $199 per month. You need to contact support for detailed plans. 

TigerConnect Reviews 

It is great for quick communication and quick access.

The integration with other facilities is difficult to maneuver. Tech support is not very friendly or helpful.

Source: G2

SolutionReach 

What is SolutionReach? 

SolutionReach is another HIPAA-compliant patient text messaging software that follows detailed policies and procedures to protect PHI by employing the required safeguards. This healthcare communication app offers data encryption, cloud-based security, and constant monitoring to ensure safe and seamless communication. SolutionReach caters to vision groups, dental practices, hospitals, and DSOs; and aims to boost patient engagement and retention.

Features of SolutionReach

• Two-way patient texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations with your patients to solve their concerns and queries in real-time.  
• Mass texting: Send text messages to hundreds of contacts at once and save hours worth of daily time.  
• EHR integration: Integrate SolutionReach with your existing EHR/EMR for easy data access.    
• Access controls: Limit who all can access patient data on your portal. 

Pros of SolutionReach

• It offers a variety of features 
• The platform is intuitive and easy to use
• It is great for team collaboration 

Cons of SolutionReach

• There can be frequent technical issues
• The customer support is inconsistent 
• There are limited customization options

SolutionReach Support channels 

SolutionReach offers customer support via chat, phone, knowledge base, email, and FAQs. 

SolutionReach Pricing

SolutionReach offers 3 pricing plans: 

• Pro: Need to contact support 
• Enterprise:  Need to contact support
• Premium add-ons: Need to contact support

SolutionReach Reviews 

What I like most about Solution reach is how easy it is to use, and how quickly we are able to text and get ahold of patients.

We cancelled our contract with ample notice and they refuse to give us a refund on an over charge and refused to accept a written cancellation AND renewed our contract automatically.

Source: GetApp

Nexhealth 

What is Nexhealth? 

Nexhealth is a popular HIPAA-compliant patient texting app, transforming patient experience through seamless communication solutions. Focusing  on online appointment scheduling and secure patient communication, Nexhealth strives to enhance both provider efficiency and patient satisfaction. NexHealth is a HIPAA-compliant patient messaging app that caters to dentists, doctors, hospitals, and medical offices; offering patient engagement capabilities that also comply with the HIPAA guidelines. It offers real-time scheduling that integrates with your EHR and encrypted texting to ensure privacy. 

Features of Nexhealth

• Access control: Create activity logs for your users to track data access and monitor overall activity. 
• Two-way texting: Communicate one-on-one with your patients and answer important queries and concerns in real-time.  
• EHR integration: Integrate Nexhealth with your existing EMR/EHR/PMS to streamline workflows and improve productivity.  
• Online appointment scheduling: Allow patients to schedule their own appointments. 
• Secure patient texting: Protect patient data and boost patient enagement by keeping conversations secure and confidential.   

Pros of Nexhealth

• It offers good customization features
• The software is easy to setup and use 
• Integrates seamlessly with external tools 

Cons of Nexhealth

• There can be frequent lags 
• The notification feature needs to be improved
• The support is very limited 

Nexhealth Support channels 

Nexhealth offers support through email, phone, and chat. 

Nexhealth Pricing

You need to contact support to get a custom quote. 

Nexhealth Reviews 

Robust functionality that automates patient engagement workflow and integrates seamlessly with our Patient Management System.

They make changes without adequate/any notification. They change workflow and functionality on the fly and expect the office to adapt. They placate, but do not listen to customers. LIMITED support hours.

Source: SoftwareAdvice

RocketChat 

What is RocketChat? 

Rocket Chat is an Open source healthcare texting app that is designed especially for teams, to help streamline operations and improve efficiency. This healthcare messaging app caters to medical offices, hospitals, and dental offices; constantly aiming to connect with patients on their preferred channels, keep patient data protected and improve operational efficiency. It is great for professionals looking for open-source and omnichannel communications. 

Features of RocketChat

• Access control: Create activity logs for your users to track data access and monitor overall activity. 
• 2FA: Get an added layer of security to ensure complete security of patient data. 
• Team collaboration: Get work done faster with your team with focused conversation rons, private channels, organized conversation spaces, and more.  
• EHR integration: Integrate RocketChat with your existing EHR/EMR for easy data access.   
• Autoresponders: Set up canned responses to send auto replies to frequently asked questions.  

Pros of RocketChat

• The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate 
• It serves diverse communication needs of healthcare practices 
• Users get multiple integration options 

Cons of RocketChat

• You need to pick the highest tier as the other two tiers don’t offer a lot of features 
• There are issues with RocketChat’s documentation 
• There can be frequent delays and maintenance issues 

RocketChat Support channels 

RocketChat extends support via email, phone, and forums. 

RocketChat Pricing

RocketChat has 3 pricing plans: 

• Starter: $0, but needs to be self-managed, with very limited features and 25 users 
• Pro: $4.60 per user per month, also self-managed with very limited features and 100 users  
• Enterprise: Need to contact support  

RocketChat Reviews 

The core software is open-source, so the cost is low to get started. You have the option, but not forced to, to purchase business/enterprise support and upgrade for additional features.

Accessing and registering for the Rocket.Chat cloud marketplace is not as intuitive as it could be. The marketplace also requires a paid plan.

Source: Capterra

MessageDesk

What is MessageDesk? 

MessageDesk is a popular HIPAA-compliant secure healthcare messaging app for doctors and nurses. It caters to healthcare providers and organizations, offering basic patient texting functionalities for easy communication. MessageDesk offers integrations through Zapier to help streamline workflows and also offers capabilities to automate routine tasks.

Features of MessageDesk

• Text enable existing number: Get your existing business number text enabled to enjoy both calling and texting.  
• EHR integration: Integrate MessageDesk with your existing EHR/EMR for easy data access 
• Broadcast texting: Send broadcast message to your patients about changes in schedule, season’s greetings, discounts and offers, and more. 
• Automated healthcare texting: Automate patient outreach for effective communication, send customized SMS reminders and confirmations.   
• Shared SMS inbox: Unify all team communications in one single inbox, make collaboration easier and efficient. 

Pros of MessageDesk

• The software is intuitive and easy to use
• The shared SMS inbox is a great add-on
• The contact lists can be imported easily 

Cons of MessageDesk

• The features are quite basic and very limited 
• The software can be expensive for smaller practices 
• The customization options are limited 

MessageDesk Support channels 

MessageDesk offers support in the form of FAQs, help desk and through email, phone, and chat. 

MessageDesk Pricing

MessageDesk has 3 pricing plans: 

• Operator – $29 per month for one user 
• Team – $79 per month for 5 users 
• Custom – Need to contact support  

MessageDesk Reviews 

Staying in commuincation with our team, not forgetting appointments and shared messaging allowing us to be proactive and always maintaining communication.

Updating and handling “duplicates” is tedious until you get used to it. The contact list isn’t organized by alphabet or group, so you have to search by name. It isn’t a big deal, just takes more time.

Source: G2

SimpleTexting 

What is SimpleTexting? 

SimpleTexting is a popular patient communication service that is known for its SMS and MMS marketing capabilities such as group texts, mass texts, autoresponders, etc. This platform offers healthcare messaging solutions for hospitals and medical offices to help streamline doctor-patient communications, and improving operational efficiency while also maintaining HIPAA compliance. 

Features of SimpleTexting

• Autoresponders: Automate communications by using customizable SMS templates and canned responses for frequently asked questions.  
• Two-way patient messaging: Communicate one-on-one with your patients and answer important queries and concerns in real-time.  
• Mass texting for medical offices: Send mass text messages to your patients and save hours worth of daily time.  
• EHR integration: Integrate SimpleTexting with your existing EMR/EHR/PMS to streamline workflows and improve productivity.  
• Team collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with your staff members and boost staff productivity.  

Pros of SimpleTexting

• It offers a variety of features 
• The interface is intuitive 
• One can easily create text segments and set triggers 

Cons of SimpleTexting

• The integration options are limited 
• The product can be expensive for smaller practices 
• There can be frequent glitches 

SimpleTexting Support channels 

SimpleTexting offers support through email, phone, chat, knowledge base, and FAQs. 

SimpleTexting Pricing

SimpleTexting starts with $39 per month for 500 credits, with a additional one-time carrier fee of $4. If you require more features, there are additional costs involved. 

SimpleTexting Reviews 

The ease of use is very nice. We have seen a great response from customers because I lot of them do not read emails but always check their text messages.

I wish it had better group texting or group texting at all. We use this to text employees a lot and have to set it up as a “campaign ” and they cannot see the other responses. I wish it had a built-in after-hours reply.

Source: GetApp

Textline 

What is Textline?

Textline is a healthcare messaging app that offers functionalities for effective patient engagement, automation, and team collaboration. It offers intuitive communication solutions for healthcare providers and dental practices, helping you streamline operations, reduce no-shows, and boost patient engagement. 

Features of Textline

• Appointment reminders: Send automated SMS reminders to patients ahead of their appointments to reduce no-shows.   
• Two-way healthcare texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations to answer queries and book appointments.  
• Emergency alerts: Send text message alerts to patients in real time. 
• Bulk texting: Send notifications to multiple people at once and save hours worth of daily time.  
• EMR integration: Integrate Textline with your existing tools to streamline workflows and deliver more coordinated care.   

Pros of Textline

• Textline offers ample integration options 
• Textline has a fairly simple layout which makes it intuitive 
• The customer support team is responsive 

Cons of Textline

• Textline doesn’t offer group text messaging 
• Finding past conversations can be cumbersome
• It has limited customization options  

Textline Support channels 

Textline extends support via Email, Knowledge base, and Chat.  

Textline Pricing

Textline offers 4 pricing plans: 

• Limited: $20 per month per agent
• Standard: $30 per month per agent
• Pro: $50 per month per agent
• Enterprise: Need to contact support  

Textline Reviews 

Textline is easy to use and intuitive for new team members to learn – the interface feels clean and responsive, and my team finds it easy to stay on top of which messages require a response.

“It doesn’t feel native to iOS and some screens did not render well.

Source: Capterra

Textedly 

What is Textedly?

Textedly is another popular HIPAA compliant medical texting service for healthcare practices that offers communication solutions for reducing no-shows and streamlining patient communication. This medical messaging app offers SMS capabilities for physicians and dental practitioners and also integrates with a host of internal tools for streamlined workflows.

Features of Textedly

• Text message marketing: Send marketing messages to patients about new offers and garner more visits.  
• SMS reminders: Automate outreach for effective patient communication, send customized reminders and recall texts.  
• Reviews and reputation management: Easily collect patient feedback and manage your practice’s reputation.  
• Mass texting: Send text messages to hundreds of contacts at once and save hours worth of daily time.   
• Text message scheduling: Schedule text messages for a later date to keep your calendar full and reduce no-shows.   

Pros of Textedly

• Importing contacts is easy 
• The platform is easy to use 
• It is easy to send mass texts 

Cons of Textedly

• The product can be expensive for smaller practices 
• The credits don’t roll over to the next month 
• The customer support is inadequate 

Textedly Support channels 

Textedly offers support via Email, Live rep, Phone, Chat, Knowledge base, and FAQs. 

Textedly Pricing

Textedly has 3 pricing plans: 

• Basic: $29 per month for 600 messages 
• Bronze: $38 per month for 1200 messages 
• Plus: $69 per month for 2400 messages 

Textedly Reviews 

We like the simplicity of this product, and the ease of reaching multiple customers with a standard message. The automatic text replies are very useful.

Terrible Customer Service and Doesn’t Send to At&t users.

Source: GetApp

Avochato 

What is Avochato?

Avochato is a HIPAA-compliant secure text messaging platform for healthcare that allows effective and efficient patient communication. It encompasses all the necessary protocols like data encryption and tiered access to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of patient data. This platform offers seamless secure texting for physicians to help boost patient engagement and overall patient care. 

Features of Avochato

• Data encryption: Ensure all messages in transit are encrypted and cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties. 
• User activity log: Create activity logs for your users to track data access and monitor overall activity.
• Text message scheduling for medical offices: Schedule text messages for a later date and save hours worth of time and effort.   
• Double opt-in: Send messages to patents to get their confirmation to receive text messages from you. 

Pros of Avochato

• Sending drip campaigns is easy 
• The software is easy to setup and use 
• It offers good customization options 

Cons of Avochato

• The mobile app can be improved 
• The customer support is inconsistent 
• The reporting features are lacking 

Avochato Support channels 

Avochato extends support via Phone Support, Email/Help Desk, Chat, and 24/7 (Live rep). 

Avochato Pricing

Avochato offers 3 pricing plans: 

• Lite: $19 per user per month  
• Standard: $35 per user per month 
• Premium: Need to contact support  

Avochato Reviews 

I really like the option of texting, live chat or calling. It gives me the flexibility I need. Customers can reach me or team members with ease. I’ve gotten positive feedback from my clients and my team. It’s easy to use and customize to my business.

Lack of reporting. Interested in exporting data from broadcasts, tags, contacts. Ie: contacts that have replied stop or start ‘Out of Office Reply’ interested in the functionality of sending ooo replies to any contact who reaches us outside of business hours, not just to new contacts.

Source: GetApp

PatientCalls 

What is PatientCalls?

PatientCalls is a secure medical messaging app that caters to hospitals, outpatient facilities, homecare services, urgent care centers, dental practices, and specialty practices. This HIPAA-compliant medical texting app serves various industries including acupuncture, internal medicine, orthopedics, paediatrics, optometry and more; offering secure communication solutions for better patient engagement. 

Features of PatientCalls

• Medical answering service: Reduce missed calls, schedule more appointments, and reduce staff burnout with a HIPAA compliant medical answering service.   
• Secure medical texting: Protect patient data and boost patient enagement by keeping conversations secure and confidential.   
• EMR integration: Integrate PatientCalls with your existing tools to streamline workflows and deliver more coordinated care.  
• Team collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with your staff members and boost staff productivity. 

Pros of PatientCalls

• The platform is easy to setup and use 
• The platform offers secure texting 

Cons of PatientCalls

• The pricing plans are confusing and complicated
• The features are very basic and limited 
• There are no customization options

PatientCalls Support channels 

PatientCalls extends support through call and chat. 

PatientCalls Pricing

PatientCalls offers three types of pricing: per person, per minute, and per call. You need to contact support to get a detailed analysis of these plans. 

PatientCalls Reviews 

No reviews found. 

ProviderTech 

What is ProviderTech?

ProviderTech is a secure patient texting software that allows efficient communication between doctors, patients, and staff members. This healthcare texting app  caters primarily to providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and payers; and delivers sound communication solutions for improved patient care. Right from appointment management to secure messaging; ProviderTech ensures HIPAA compliance in its offerings. 

Features of ProviderTech

• Two-way patient texting: Engage in one-on-one conversations with your patients to solve their concerns and queries in real-time.  
• Secure text messaging for healthcare: Protect patient data and boost patient enagement by keeping conversations secure and confidential.    
• Automated texting: Automate patient outreach for effective communication, send customized reminders and recall texts.   
• SMS Reminders: Send automated SMS reminders to patients ahead of their appointments to reduce no-shows.    

Pros of ProviderTech

• The platform offers good conversational AI capabilities 
• It offers good automation features 

Cons of ProviderTech

• The features are quite basic and limited 
• It doesn’t cater to a large bracket of healthcare providers 

ProviderTech Support channels 

ProviderTech extends support via call, FAQs and knowledge base. 

ProviderTech Pricing

You need to contact ProviderTech support for quotes.  

ProviderTech Reviews 

No reviews found. 

Text Request

What is Text Request? 

TextRequest is a HIPAA-compliant secure healthcare messaging app. It offers plug and play texting solutions that help medical offers deliver excellent patient care. Not only does TextRequest add an extra layer of security, but also helps streamline operations through a variety of texting capabilities. 

Features of Text Request

• Landline texting: Get your existing business number text enabled to enjoy both calling and texting.   
• Access control: Create activity logs for your users to track data access and monitor overall activity.  
• Reviews: Easily collect patient feedback and manage your practice’s reputation.   
• Mass texting: Send mass text messages to your patients and save hours worth of daily time. 
• Autoresponders: Automate communications by using customizable templates and canned responses for frequently asked questions.  

Pros of Text Request

• The platform is user-friendly 
• The customer support team is responsive 
• It is cost-effective for smaller practices  

Cons of Text Request

• There are inconsistencies with message delivery
• There can be frequent glitches 
• The mobile app lags and loads slowly 

Text Request Support channels 

Text Request offers support via Chat, Phone, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, 24/7 (Live rep), and Knowledge Base.  

Text Request Pricing

Text Request offers 4 pricing plans: 

• Basic: $59 per month 
• Starter: $139 per month 
• Corporate: $279 per month 
• Enterprise: $549 per month 

Text Request Reviews 

It is easy to set up, is well organized and allows you to stay organized even when sharing the service with a number of team members. 

It glitches sometimes. I hit send on a message and I get an error that says failed to send. I have to hit send again and it will go. This does not happen all the time, but it can be annoying.

Source: Capterra

HeyMarket   

What is HeyMarket? 

HeyMarket is a secure medical messaging app designed for a host of businesses including healthcare practices. This HIPAA-compliant texting service integrates with leading enterprise applications and offers a host of features to ensure seamless patient communication and engagement. It is compliant with HIPAA and SOC2 and offers secure communication solutions to help boost patient care. 

Features of HeyMarket

• SMS Reminders: Send automated SMS reminders to patients ahead of their appointments to reduce no-shows.  
• Drip campaigns: Follow up with patients through drip campaigns. 
• Secure medical texting: Enable this feature and get redirected to a secure gateway to access and share data with your patients.   
• Team collaboration: Get work done faster with your team with focused conversation rons, private channels, organized conversation spaces, and more.   

Pros of HeyMarket

• The platform is easy to setup and use 
• It has good AI texting capabilities 
• It is also compliant with A2P 10DLC and TCPA 

Cons of HeyMarket

• There are frequent glitches and downtime
• Creating ad sending group messages is cumbersome 
• The customer support is inconsistent 
• It can be expensive for smaller practices 

HeyMarket Support channels 

HeyMarket offers support in the form of email, help desk and chat. 

HeyMarket Pricing

HeyMarket has 4 pricing plans: 

• Standard: $23 per user per month  
• Plus: $47 per user per month 
• Pro: $71 per user per month 
• Enterprise: Need to contact support  

HeyMarket Reviews 

Heymarket can be very intuitive and helpful when we need to contact clients we have previously touched base with. Creating campaigns and templates helps get things done efficiently and correctly.

Compared to other messaging platforms, Heymarket is on the pricier side, especially for small businesses. The basic plans don’t include some features that competitors offer at similar or lower price points, which is a bummer.

Source: Capterra

Why Is Emitrr The Best HIPAA-Compliant Text Messaging App?

Here are some of the core things that set Emitrr apart from other apps:

1. Great value for money: Emitrr has the highest value for money as it falls within an affordable range and is based on over 100+ reviews across GetApp and Capterra. 
2. Unparalleled customer support: Emitrr offers best-in-class support with a 5/5 rating in customer support with over 100 reviews on Capterra. 
3. Ample integration options: Emitrr offers seamless integration with 500+ EMR/EHR/PMS, for you to streamline your workflows and reduce manual effort. 
4. Diverse features: Emitrr offers a plethora of features to help you improve response times, boost patient engagement, reduce no shows, connect with patients in real-time, and keep patients informed. 
5. Chrome extension: Emitrr is among the very few HIPAA-compliant texting apps that offers a super cool Chrome Extension which helps manage communication seamlessly without having to leave the browser window. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

HIPAA compliance is an important feature for you if you are a healthcare provider and need to communicate securely with your patients. Before you make a choice, make sure to go through each of the aforementioned HIPAA-compliant texting apps, and understand whether they align with your requirements. If you liked Emitrr’s offerings, all you need to do is click on this link and schedule a demo here.