Based on our research, Vonage may be HIPAA compliant because it offers HIPAA-ready APIs and will sign a business associate agreement (BAA) with healthcare organizations. However, not all Vonage products are covered, so compliance depends on which services are used.
What is Vonage?
Vonage is a cloud communications provider that offers voice, video, messaging, and API solutions for businesses. Its healthcare APIs can support telehealth, secure patient engagement, and digital communication workflows.
Vonage states that it has implemented best practices in information security and privacy and provides BAAs for its HIPAA-enabled APIs, but general products outside this scope may not be compliant.
Will Vonage sign a business associate agreement (BAA)?
Yes, Vonage will sign a business associate agreement, which can be reviewed here.
What does the Vonage BAA cover?
Vonage provides a BAA for healthcare organizations using its HIPAA-enabled services. The platform states, “Vonage has completed third-party audits and has implemented industry best practices with respect to its information security and privacy programs, including BAAs with its infrastructure and service providers that may support its HIPAA compliant APIs.”
Their BAA covers:
- Protection of PHI transmitted through HIPAA-enabled APIs.
- Security measures aligned with industry standards.
- Flow-down BAAs with infrastructure and service providers.
- Limited scope to HIPAA-ready services (not all Vonage products).
Is Vonage HIPAA compliant?
Vonage may be HIPAA compliant, but only when healthcare organizations use its designated HIPAA-ready APIs under a signed BAA. General Vonage services are not automatically covered, so organizations must carefully configure and restrict usage to compliant offerings.
The HIPAA compliant solution: Paubox
Paubox has developed a HIPAA compliant email and texting solution that makes it easier for providers to connect with their patients. It eliminates the need for third-party apps or logins, allowing patients to receive secure, encrypted texts and emails directly on their phones.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQs
What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for protecting the privacy and security of certain health information, known as protected health information (PHI). HIPAA is designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information and to ensure that healthcare providers and insurers can securely exchange electronic health information. Violations of HIPAA can result in significant fines and penalties for covered entities.
Who does HIPAA apply to?
HIPAA applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It also applies to business associates of these covered entities. These are entities that perform certain functions or activities on behalf of the covered entity.
What is a business associate agreement?
A business associate agreement (BAA) is a legally binding contract establishing a relationship between a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its business associates. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure the proper protection of personal health information (PHI) as required by HIPAA regulations.
