Secure Patient Messaging

Secure messaging for healthcare generally refers to a communication platform that meets medical-grade privacy standards like HIPAA in the US, and PIPEDA and provincial laws (PHIPA, PIPA) in Canada. It encrypts data end-to-end, authenticates users before granting access, and maintains a full audit trail of every message sent or opened.

Cortico is a purpose-built medical patient messaging system, not a repurposed consumer texting tool. Where plain SMS sends clinical information across carriers in unencrypted plain text, Cortico sends only a notification — the actual message stays encrypted inside the patient portal, requires identity verification, and logs automatically to the chart.

Not without the right platform. Standard SMS and email are unencrypted, so any patient information sent through them can violate HIPAA, PIPEDA, and most other medical privacy standards. Compliant platforms like Cortico send only a notification by SMS or email, while the clinical message itself stays inside an encrypted portal that requires identity verification to access it.

No. SMS isn’t encrypted in transit, doesn’t authenticate the recipient, and can be stored by carriers — all of which fail HIPAA’s Security Rule when protected health information (PHI) is involved. Any medical text messaging that contains PHI needs to move through a purpose-built compliant channel.

Cortico loads directly into your EMR via Smart on FHIR or browser extension, with deep integrations across all major EMRs used in Canada and the US. See our integrations page for the full current list. If you use a different EMR, please contact us — we add new integrations regularly.

HIPAA compliant texting is any text-based messaging channel that satisfies the HIPAA Security Rule. The core requirements are: encryption in transit and at rest, user authentication, role-based access controls, comprehensive audit logs, and a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with your platform vendor.

Cortico’s patient messaging is appropriate for most routine clinical and administrative communication that doesn’t require a synchronous visit. Common use cases include: delivering lab results and requisitions; confirming prescriptions sent to pharmacies; sharing referrals and specialist correspondence; requesting intake forms before appointments; sending post-visit instructions; and handling insurance forms, invoices, and follow-up booking links.