The power of HIPAA compliant texting for public health education

Text messaging is an effective communication tool due to high engagement rates, instant delivery, and convenience. For this reason, healthcare and public health organizations can integrate HIPAA compliant text messaging for public health education.

Why use HIPAA compliant texting for public health education?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets stringent regulations for protecting patient health information (PHI). Traditional text messaging is not inherently secure, making HIPAA compliant texting a necessary solution for healthcare providers and public health organizations.

Key benefits

• High engagement rates: According to a study titled “Utilizing Text Messages for Effective Outreach” written by Elizabeth E. Park, observed that text messages have an open rate of 98%, significantly higher than that of emails (21.8%).
• Instant communication: SMS allows for real-time messaging, making it ideal for urgent health alerts and reminders.
• Cost-effective outreach: Text messaging is a more affordable option for public health campaigns compared to traditional mailers or phone calls.
• Improved health literacy: Provides concise, accessible, and easy-to-understand health information to large audiences.
• Personalized and targeted messaging: Allows for customized health messages based on demographics, location, or medical history.

Learn more: HIPAA compliance in communication

Top use cases for HIPAA compliant texting in public health

Health promotion campaigns

Public health organizations can send educational messages on topics such as mental health awareness, smoking cessation, healthy eating, or exercise recommendations. These messages encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Example:

“Did you know? Regular exercise can lower your risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.”

Read also: Benefits of exercise

Disease prevention and outbreak alerts

HIPAA compliant texting is an effective way to alert the public about disease outbreaks like COVID-19, flu, or measles. It can also provide prevention tips, symptom awareness, and guidelines for seeking medical help.

Example:

“Flu season is here! Protect yourself with a flu shot. Schedule your vaccination today at your nearest clinic. #StayHealthy”

Appointment reminders and preventive screenings

Missed medical appointments significantly impact the U.S. healthcare system, resulting in substantial financial losses. According to a study by Allen M. Chen, as published in the National Library of Medicine, these no-shows cost the industry approximately $150 billion annually. For individual physicians, each missed appointment translates to an average loss of $200 per unused time slot. Text reminders for appointments, vaccinations, cancer screenings, and routine check-ups can significantly reduce no-shows.

Example:

“Reminder: Your mammogram appointment is scheduled for June 10 at 2:00 PM. Reply YES to confirm or CALL to reschedule.”

Chronic disease management support

According to the CDC, “An estimated 129 million people in the US have at least 1 major chronic disease.” They further went on to state that “an increasing proportion of people in America are dealing with multiple chronic conditions; 42% have 2 or more, and 12% have at least 5.” As a way to manage chronic disease, patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma can benefit from educational texts that provide medication reminders, dietary tips, and symptom management strategies.

Example:

“Managing diabetes? Remember to check your blood sugar levels daily and stay hydrated. Contact your doctor for concerns. #DiabetesCare”

See also: Using automated messaging in chronic disease management

Medication adherence support

A study published by M. Álvarez Payero in the Elsiver journal, found that non-adherence to prescribed medications is a leading cause of hospitalizations. The consequences of non-adherence, include “worse clinical results, quality of life and greater morbidity and mortality.” For the health system, text reminders help patients stay on track with their prescriptions.

Example:

“Take your blood pressure medication with water at 8 AM. Consistency helps keep your BP under control. #HealthyHeart”

Go deeper: Improving medication adherence with HIPAA compliant texts

Mental health and behavioral health support

A study published in the Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders revealed that, based on three nationally representative surveys involving 9.2 million participants, U.S. adults experienced a decline in mental health from 1993 to 2020. With rising mental health concerns, SMS can offer mental health tips, stress management strategies, and helpline contacts for immediate support.

Example:

“Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Talk to a counselor at 1-800-HELP-NOW. Help is just a text away. #MentalHealthMatters”

Read also: Text messaging as a tool for mental health support

HIPAA compliance considerations for text messaging

The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules establish a framework for protecting sensitive patient information (PHI), but they do not explicitly address text messaging. However, HIPAA does provide guidelines for the electronic transmission of PHI. Here’s how organizations can ensure compliance:

• Use a HIPAA compliant texting platform: Regular SMS apps do not provide encryption. Healthcare providers must use a HIPAA compliant text messaging service, like Paubox Texting, that includes:
• Encryption
• Secure login authentication
• Message access controls
• Obtain patient consent: Healthcare organizations must receive explicit written consent from patients before sending any text messages. Patients should be informed about what type of messages they will receive and how their data will be protected.
• Limit PHI in messages: The Minimum Necessary Rule states that only essential health information should be shared via text. Avoid including sensitive details like full patient names, medical records, or test results.
  • Example: Instead of: “Your blood test result is abnormal. Contact Dr. Smith at 555-123-4567.” Use: “Your test results are ready. Please contact your provider.”
  • The Minimum Necessary applies with the use of regular, non-compliant texting. When using Paubox Texting, your message can include PHI for Paubox offers seamless encryption that prevents the inception of messages sent using the platform.
• Implement audit trails and monitoring: HIPAA mandates that healthcare organizations keep records of all text messages for audit purposes. Using a compliant platform allows administrators to track and review message logs.
• Provide opt-out options: Patients should have the ability to opt out of text communications at any time. Every message should include clear instructions on how to unsubscribe.
  • Example: “To stop receiving messages, reply STOP.”

Read also: The guide to HIPAA compliant text messaging

Paubox Texting: Your HIPAA compliant solution

Paubox Texting offers a HIPAA compliant solution for securely communicating protected health information (PHI), making it an effective tool for public health education. With seamless encryption, Paubox ensures that sensitive patient data remains protected while allowing healthcare providers to send important health updates, appointment reminders, and educational resources directly to patients’ mobile devices. Unlike standard SMS services, which may not meet HIPAA’s security requirements, Paubox Texting enables organizations to engage with patients while maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations. This secure communication method supports public health initiatives by facilitating timely and confidential outreach, improving patient engagement, and promoting health awareness without compromising data security.

See also: Unpacking the HIPAA rules on text messaging

Best practices for effective public health texting

• Keep messages short and clear: Ensure messages are under 160 characters for easy readability.
• Use a conversational and friendly tone: Personalize messages to increase engagement.
• Send at appropriate times: Avoid early morning or late-night texts.
• Include actionable steps: Encourage patients to schedule appointments or visit a website for more information.
• Monitor response rates and effectiveness: Track engagement metrics to refine messaging strategies.

Read more: Best practices for patient communication with Paubox texting

FAQS

What is HIPAA compliant texting?

HIPAA compliant texting refers to secure messaging solutions that adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. These platforms encrypt messages and protect patient health information (PHI) from unauthorized access. 

What features make a texting platform HIPAA compliant?

A HIPAA compliant messaging platform should have:

• Encryption
• Secure user authentication
• Access controls and audit logs
• Automatic message expiration
• A signed BAA with the service provider

Can HIPAA compliant texting integrate with electronic health records (EHRs)?

Yes, many secure messaging platforms offer EHR integration, allowing seamless communication between providers and patients while maintaining compliance.