HIPAA-compliant alternatives to iMessage
iMessage is not HIPAA compliant for patient information. The cheapest alternative in our data with a named BAA plan is OhMD ($300/mo).
Why iMessage isn't compliant
No
Apple's iCloud terms say covered entities and business associates will not use the service to 'create, receive, maintain or transmit any protected health information' or in any way that would make Apple their business associate. We found no BAA from Apple for Messages. Source: www.apple.com. Full answer: Is iMessage HIPAA compliant?
Alternatives that sign a BAA
Textline
Paid plans only HIPAA Essentials plan · See vendor
The standard Essentials and Pro plans are only 'HIPAA compatible'. You need a separate HIPAA plan to get the BAA.
Visit Textline (opens in a new tab)Verified · Source · We don't rank by commission: how we verify
OhMD
Yes, self-serve Core plan · $300/mo
AI voice and calling usage is billed on top of the plan price.
Visit OhMD (opens in a new tab)Verified · Source · We don't rank by commission: how we verify
SlickText
Not stated Plan not stated · Free tier
The HIPAA page offers a 'Standard BAA for eligible customers' but doesn't say who is eligible, which plan qualifies or whether there is a fee. SlickText is mainly an SMS marketing platform.
Visit SlickText (opens in a new tab)Verified · Source · We don't rank by commission: how we verify
Quick picks for texting
Cheapest with a BAABest for solo
Weave
$199/mo per account · Pro plan
Why this pick: Lowest published price ($199/mo) among plans that name a BAA. Lowest cost for one user you can sign up for today: $199/mo.
Visit Weave (opens in a new tab)Verified · Source · We don't rank by commission: how we verify
Certified
Textline
See vendor · HIPAA Essentials plan
Why this pick: Cheapest self-serve vendor naming SOC 2 (type not stated).
Visit Textline (opens in a new tab)Verified · Source · We don't rank by commission: how we verify
Switching checklist
- Choose a texting platform that signs a BAA, and sign it before moving patient conversations.
- Decide whether to text from your existing office number (number hosting) or a new one.
- Get and record patient consent to receive texts, and keep an opt-out path.
- Set a rule for what goes by text (reminders, links) and what stays in the portal or a call.
- Stop using personal phones for patient messages once the new platform is live.
Help me choose texting
Weave BAA plan: Pro · $199/mo per account
Nearest match: signs a BAA on a self-serve plan; $199/mo for 1 user.
Visit Weave (opens in a new tab)OhMD BAA plan: Core · $300/mo
Nearest match: signs a BAA on a self-serve plan; $300/mo for 1 user.
Visit OhMD (opens in a new tab)Textline BAA plan: HIPAA Essentials · See vendor
Nearest match: signs a BAA on a self-serve plan; price not published for 1 user.
Visit Textline (opens in a new tab)
No vendor meets that must-have, so these are the nearest matches.
Ranked by our published rules: BAA clarity first, then estimated monthly cost from the vendor's own price. Commission never changes the order. Estimates multiply per-user prices by team size (just me = 1, 2–10 = 5, 10+ = 10). Flat account prices count once, and only when the vendor states the plan covers that many users. How we verify.
Questions
Is iMessage HIPAA compliant?
No. Apple's iCloud terms say covered entities and business associates will not use the service to 'create, receive, maintain or transmit any protected health information' or in any way that would make Apple their business associate. We found no BAA from Apple for Messages. Source: www.apple.com.
What is a HIPAA-compliant alternative to iMessage?
Textline, OhMD, SlickText are in our texting comparison. Of these, OhMD has the lowest published price with a named BAA plan ($300/mo, Core plan).
See every option in the full texting comparison.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm BAA terms with the vendor before moving patient information.