Best HIPAA compliant text messaging apps
There are dozens of viable apps and vendors that provide HIPAA compliant text messaging for patients.
We have assembled our top four picks for solo providers, medical practices, hospitals, and provider groups with developer support.
Let us know if you need support with more nuanced workflows or implementing any of the below options.
Top patient text messaging apps
| OhMD | Two-way SMS and text reminders. Less features but all of the essentials are included. Competitive pricing for small and medium size medical practices. Patient engagement tools include telehealth, electronic forms, website chat, and more. Smaller company with more personalized support. |
| NexHealth | Two-way SMS, text reminders and patient engagement platform. Includes scheduling, reminders, recalls, payments and more. Includes a patient engagement platform. Native API with integrations with about 50 EHRs. Initial focus on dental practices. |
| TigerConnect | Longstanding text messaging vendor in healthcare. Competitive pricing for text messaging alone; additional features cost more money. New patient engagement tools including SMS broadcasts, scheduler application, and virtual waiting room. Messages are hosted securely over SSL after patient authenticates with Date of Birth or Two-Factor Authentication. Patient requires smartphone with data to view texts. |
| Twilio | Powerful API that is trusted by hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of developers. Able to create any text messaging workflow imaginable. Requires experienced developers to build custom application. |
Patient text messaging features comparison
| TigerConnect | OhMD | NexHealth | Twilio | |
| Two-Way SMS | x | x | x | x |
| SMS appointment reminders | x | x | x | x |
| Broadcast SMS messages | x | x | x | x |
| SMS automated scheduling | o | x | x | x |
| Free version available | o | x | o | o |
| No recipient data plan/internet required | o | x | x | x |
| No patient application download required | x | x | x | x |
| No developer required | x | x | x | o |
| Accessible securely from any web browser with an internet connection | x | x | x | o |
| Mobile application | x | x | o | o |
| Desktop application | x | o | o | o |
| Patient engagement suite | Good | Good | Great | None |
| EHR Integration | Limited | Good | Great | Developer required |
| Specialty focus | None | Medical | Dental | None |
| Pricing | $>100 / month for 10 licenses (minimum) | $>100 / month (for two-way texting) | $300-$500 / month(text messaging) | Pay per text (wholesale) |
