HIPAA compliant scheduling software protects patient health information (PHI) when patients book appointments online. Healthcare providers, therapists, clinics, and medical practices must use tools that offer secure data handling and a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Below are five trusted HIPAA compliant scheduling tools in 2026, followed by a quick comparison table to help you choose.
What is HIPAA and why does it matter?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a U.S. law that protects sensitive patient health information.If your scheduling tool collects or stores:
Patient names linked to appointments
Appointment types that reveal medical context
Contact details tied to care
Intake form responses
Then you are handling Protected Health Information (PHI).To be HIPAA compliant, your scheduling provider must:
Sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
Encrypt data in transit and at rest
Restrict access with role-based controls
Maintain audit logs
Without a BAA, your software is not considered HIPAA compliant.
Which businesses need HIPAA compliant scheduling?
You likely need HIPAA compliant scheduling software if you are:
A doctor or medical clinic
A therapist, counselor, or psychologist
A dentist or orthodontist
A telehealth provider
A wellness provider handling medical records
A multi-provider healthcare practice
Any organization handling PHI should not rely on basic consumer scheduling tools.
Why HIPAA compliant scheduling is important
Many healthcare data breaches start in simple tools like booking forms or email reminders.HIPAA compliant scheduling helps:
Protect patient privacy
Prevent data exposure
Avoid costly penalties
Maintain professional credibility
Build patient trust
Secure scheduling is not optional — it is foundational to running a responsible healthcare practice.
The 5 best HIPAA compliant scheduling tools in 2026
Here is a quick comparison of five widely used HIPAA compliant scheduling tools.
Tool | HIPAA Ready | Best For |
SimplePractice | Yes | Therapists & small practices |
NexHealth | Yes | EHR-integrated clinics |
Acuity (HIPAA plan) | Yes (specific plans) | Solo providers |
OnceHub | Yes | Enterprise healthcare |
Doodle (Enterprise plans) | Yes | Multi-provider teams & flexible scheduling |
Always confirm BAA availability and compliance details directly with the vendor before implementation.
How to choose the right HIPAA compliant tool
Choose based on:
Practice size
Need for EHR integration
Team scheduling complexity
Pricing transparency
Customization needs
Solo therapists may prefer integrated tools like SimplePractice. Large clinics may need OnceHub or NexHealth. Healthcare teams that require flexible group coordination and booking pages may benefit from Doodle’s Enterprise plans.
Frequently asked questions about HIPAA compliant scheduling
What makes scheduling software HIPAA compliant?
The vendor must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and provide encryption, access controls, and audit tracking.
Do free scheduling tools support HIPAA compliance?
Typically no. HIPAA compliance requires a BAA, which is usually only available on paid plans.
Is Google Calendar HIPAA compliant?
Google Workspace can be configured for HIPAA with a BAA, but Google Calendar alone is not a complete HIPAA compliant scheduling system.
Do therapists need HIPAA compliant scheduling software?
Yes. Therapists handle Protected Health Information (PHI) and must use HIPAA compliant systems.
Can small clinics use HIPAA compliant scheduling tools?
Yes. Many providers offer HIPAA compliant options suitable for solo practitioners and small clinics.
Run your healthcare business with confidence
Choosing HIPAA compliant scheduling software protects your patients and your practice.If you need secure booking pages, team scheduling, and group coordination in one platform, Doodle Enterprise provides HIPAA-ready scheduling built for healthcare teams.Start with Doodle and run your health business with secure, professional scheduling that protects patient data at every step.
