Privacy is the foundation of trust in healthcare, forming the bedrock of the patient-provider relationship. In telehealth, where sensitive health information is exchanged digitally, maintaining privacy takes on even greater significance.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was established to safeguard this trust by setting strict standards for the protection of Protected Health Information (PHI). With the rapid rise of telehealth, video-calling platforms have gained significant traction — but are they truly HIPAA compliant?
Why HIPAA Compliance Matters in Telehealth
- Legal Requirement: HIPAA mandates safeguards for the confidentiality, integrity, and security of PHI.
- Ethical Responsibility: Patients trust providers to protect their most sensitive data.
- Financial Protection: Non-compliance can lead to costly penalties, legal action, and reputational harm.
Not every video-calling platform is designed with these requirements in mind. Let’s examine the most commonly used platforms and how they measure up.
FaceTime
- Security Features: End-to-end encryption, Apple doesn’t store call content.
- BAA Availability: ❌ Not available.
- HIPAA Compliance: Not recommended.
- Key Takeaway: Without a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), FaceTime cannot be considered HIPAA-compliant. Providers should avoid using it for transmitting PHI unless patients give written consent acknowledging risks
Google Meet
- Security Features: Encryption in transit and at rest, access controls.
- BAA Availability: ✅ Yes, with Google Workspace Business/Enterprise plans.
- HIPAA Compliance: Partially compliant (requires correct setup).
- Key Takeaway: With a signed BAA and proper configuration (restricted access, secure storage of recordings, no PHI in invites), Google Meet can be HIPAA-compliant. Staff training is essential.
- Security Features: End-to-end encryption.
- BAA Availability: ❌ No.
- HIPAA Compliance: Not recommended.
- Key Takeaway: WhatsApp explicitly states it is not suitable for transmitting health information under HIPAA. Providers should not use it for PHI, despite its encryption features.
Zoom
- Security Features: AES 256-bit encryption, waiting rooms, meeting passcodes, authentication controls.
- BAA Availability: ✅ Yes, with paid plans (Pro, Business, Enterprise).
- HIPAA Compliance: HIPAA-compliant with configuration.
- Key Takeaway: Zoom can meet HIPAA standards if you subscribe to the correct plan, sign a BAA, and configure security settings (limit access, manage screen sharing, secure or disable recordings).
Microsoft Teams
- Security Features: Enterprise-grade security, part of Microsoft 365 compliance suite.
- BAA Availability: ✅ Yes.
- HIPAA Compliance: Fully compliant with proper configuration.
- Key Takeaway: Teams offers one of the strongest HIPAA-compliant frameworks when combined with access controls, data loss prevention policies, and staff training.
Final Thoughts
HIPAA compliance in telehealth isn’t just about choosing the “right” video platform — it’s about signing BAAs, configuring tools correctly, and training staff to avoid accidental PHI exposure.
- Not Recommended: FaceTime, WhatsApp.
- Partially Compliant: Google Meet (with Workspace and safeguards).
- Compliant: Zoom (paid plans with BAA, configured correctly) and Microsoft Teams (fully compliant with proper setup).
For healthcare practices, the safest path is to partner with vendors that explicitly offer HIPAA compliance support and BAAs. Protecting patient trust and avoiding penalties starts with the right technology choices.
