New services aim to make emailing, texting among doctors, patients more secure

Why This Topic Matters

Healthcare organizations increasingly rely on electronic communication, but email and texting can expose protected health information if not handled carefully. Understanding the broad compliance and security issues helps practices assess communication options without overexposing patient data or creating avoidable privacy risks.

Article Sections

1. Email communication and HIPAA privacy concerns

   Introduces the privacy issues that arise when practices communicate by email and discusses general HIPAA considerations for electronic messaging.

2. Easier encryption?

   Reviews a vendor-based encrypted email approach and how it is positioned for healthcare communication workflows.

3. Patient permission

   Addresses patient agreements and how they relate to unencrypted email communication under HIPAA privacy expectations.

4. Mega-rule silent on texts but rules apply

   Summarizes how texting and SMS are treated in the context of broader HIPAA security and risk-assessment concerns.

5. Vendors offer texting solutions

   Describes mobile texting tools designed to reduce message storage on devices and limit exposure of communication data.