DoctorConnect Appointment Reminders
and HIPAA Compliance

What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a federal law that aims to help individuals maintain health insurance, safeguard the privacy and security of healthcare information, and assist the healthcare industry in controlling administrative costs.

Can appointment reminders be sent under the HIPAA Privacy Rule without authorizations?

Yes, appointment reminders are considered part of an individual’s treatment and can be sent without authorization. The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed this in their FAQ. Furthermore, HIPAA advises healthcare providers to accommodate a patient’s preferred method of communication, such as sending a voice message rather than a text.

DoctorConnect can easily manage these preferences and even import communication preferences from your existing patient database.

Is texting permitted under HIPAA?

Texting is not prohibited by HIPAA. There is no rule that prevents healthcare providers from texting appointment reminders or missed appointment notices to patients. HIPAA explicitly allows direct communication with patients, whether through phone calls, mail, email, or texting.

Healthcare providers must ensure adequate safeguards to protect the privacy of patients’ Protected Health Information (PHI) across all forms of communication.

For any questions or concerns about HIPAA and appointment reminders, please contact us.