Key Features to Look for in Telehealth Software for HIPAA Compliance

Data Encryption

Your telehealth platform must protect protected health information (PHI) everywhere it moves or sits. Look for strong encryption in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3 with perfect forward secrecy) and at rest (AES‑256 or equivalent) backed by rigorous key management and rotation.

For live video and messaging, insist on End-to-end Encryption options that prevent intermediaries from reading session content. Favor FIPS‑validated crypto modules and documented key lifecycles so you can verify controls, not just trust marketing claims.

• Encryption in transit and at rest with modern ciphers and PFS
• End-to-end Encryption for video, chat, and file sharing when feasible
• Hardware-backed keys, automatic rotation, and scoped access to keys
• FIPS 140‑validated cryptographic libraries and secure TLS configurations
• Detailed encryption and key management documentation for auditors

Access Control

Only the right people should reach PHI, and only for the right reasons. Choose software with granular role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based rules for sensitive workflows, and strong identity verification.

Require Single Sign-On via SAML or OIDC plus Two-factor Authentication to reduce account takeover risk. Apply least-privilege defaults, just‑in‑time escalation for emergencies, and device/session policies that shut down risky access.

• RBAC with least-privilege defaults and policy-based exceptions
• Single Sign-On plus Two-factor Authentication (2FA/MFA)
• Scoped API tokens and short-lived session lifetimes
• Break-glass access with automatic expiration and full audit
• Granular consent and patient-restriction controls for sensitive records

Activity Monitoring and Logging

You need complete visibility into who did what, when, and why. Robust Audit Trails should capture logins, data views, exports, edits, e-prescriptions, telehealth sessions, and administrative changes—down to patient and record identifiers.

Logs should be tamper-evident, time-synchronized, and exportable to your SIEM for alerting. Set retention policies that meet your organization’s risk posture and make investigations fast with search, filters, and immutable evidence.

• Comprehensive, immutable Audit Trails with patient-level event detail
• Cryptographic integrity, WORM storage options, and clock synchronization
• Real-time alerts for anomalous access or bulk data activity
• Flexible retention and easy export for investigations and audits
• Coverage of admin actions, configuration changes, and API usage

Secure Documentation Management

Clinical documentation—notes, images, orders, consents, and messages—must be protected end-to-end. Look for encrypted storage, fine-grained sharing, and controls that prevent unauthorized downloads, copying, or forwarding.

Versioning, e-signatures, and tamper-evident records help prove integrity. Apply data loss prevention (DLP), redaction tools, and structured templates that minimize exposure and enforce the minimum necessary standard.

• Encrypted repositories with role- and purpose-based document access
• Version history, e-signatures, and tamper-evident metadata
• Inline redaction, watermarking, and restricted download/print settings
• DLP rules for attachments, chat transcripts, and screen captures
• Consent capture and linkage to specific documents and encounters

Compliance with Privacy Regulations

Beyond technology, the platform must operationalize HIPAA. Require a Business Associate Agreement, documented security program, and regular HIPAA Compliance Testing, including risk analysis, vulnerability scans, and disaster recovery exercises.

Support for patient rights and consent flows is essential: disclosures, accounting of disclosures, data access, and restrictions. If you operate across states, ensure configurable policies to harmonize state privacy requirements with HIPAA.

• Signed BAA with defined roles, safeguards, and breach obligations
• HIPAA Compliance Testing, risk assessments, and remediation tracking
• Configurable consent, minimum-necessary enforcement, and disclosure logs
• Administrative features for training, policy attestations, and reminders
• Documented incident response and breach notification playbooks

Independently Audited Security Evaluations

Independent attestations validate that controls exist and operate effectively. Prioritize vendors with a recent SOC2 Audit (ideally Type II) covering security, availability, and confidentiality, and an ISO 27001 Certification demonstrating a mature information security management system.

Supplement these with regular third-party penetration tests and remediation evidence. Request executive summaries you can share with stakeholders during vendor risk reviews.

• SOC2 Audit (Type II) with relevant trust services criteria
• ISO 27001 Certification with the current statement of applicability
• Annual third-party penetration tests and ongoing vulnerability management
• Transparent reporting on findings, timelines, and corrective actions
• Supply-chain and subcontractor risk assessments tied to PHI handling

Data Backup and Automatic Log Off

Backups protect availability and integrity of PHI during outages, ransomware, or human error. Require Encrypted Data Backup at rest and in transit, multiple geographic replicas, immutability options, and tested restore procedures with documented recovery objectives.

Automatic log off reduces shoulder-surfing and unattended terminal risks. Set short idle timeouts for clinical workstations, stricter policies for shared devices, and remote-wipe and session revocation for lost or compromised endpoints.

• Encrypted Data Backup with geo-redundancy and integrity checks
• Regular restore drills, documented RPO/RTO, and offline/immutable copies
• Access controls and separation of duties for backup administration
• Configurable idle timeouts, session locking, and forced re-authentication
• Remote wipe, device posture checks, and rapid token/session revocation

When you compare vendors, map each feature to specific HIPAA safeguards, verify with live demos and artifacts, and prioritize controls you can measure: encryption coverage, access governance, Audit Trails quality, independent attestations, and restore success rates.

FAQs.

What are the essential HIPAA compliance features in telehealth software?

Focus on full‑stack encryption, granular access control with Two-factor Authentication, comprehensive Audit Trails, secure documentation management, tested incident response, and a signed BAA. Independent reviews such as a SOC2 Audit and ISO 27001 Certification strengthen assurance.

How does access control enhance telehealth security?

Access control enforces the minimum necessary principle by limiting PHI to authorized users and use cases. RBAC, SSO, and Two-factor Authentication reduce account compromise, while fine-grained policies and session limits prevent misuse and lateral movement.

Why are independent security audits important for telehealth platforms?

Independent audits verify that controls are designed and working, not just promised. A recent SOC2 Audit and ISO 27001 Certification provide third‑party evidence, help satisfy vendor risk reviews, and reveal gaps that must be remediated on a schedule.

What role does data backup play in HIPAA compliance?

Backups preserve availability and integrity of PHI during incidents. Encrypted Data Backup with geo‑redundancy, immutability, and regular restoration tests ensures you can recover quickly within defined RPO/RTO, meeting HIPAA’s contingency planning requirements.