Is Zoom HIPAA Compliant?
With everyone isolating in their homes and business at a virtual standstill, can doulas use Zoom or similar platforms to offer services and still meet HIPAA requirements. This question was recently asked at the Coming Together Webinar INELDA conducted for its trained doulas. At that time, a number of different answers were provided without a definitive conclusion. Now we have an answer to that question from a recent publication of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
According to that FAQs on telehealth and HIPPA, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of HHS has announced that “Telehealth services (remote healthcare provided electronically) can be provided through audio, text messaging, or video communication technology, including video conferencing software.” This is part of a Notification of Enforcement Discretion regarding COVID-19 and remote telehealth communications. Health care providers are any person or entity that provides health care.
In discussing the kind of products that are permitted, the document states: “Non-public facing remote communication products would include, for example, platforms such as Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, Whatsapp video chat, Zoom, or Skype. Such products would also include commonly used texting applications such as Jabber, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Whatsapp, or iMessage. Typically, these platforms employ end-to-end encryption, which allows only an individual and the person with whom the individual is communicating to see what is transmitted.”
The above-named platforms support individual accounts with logins and passwords to further maintain privacy and protect the information a client might discuss. Given the need to reassure a client that the communication is private, it’s best not to record sessions.
We hope this provides the kind of clarity we all need to continue working with clients virtually—at least for as long as we are still struggling with the impact of coronavirus on our ability to see clients in person.