Is Zelle HIPAA compliant?

Zelle is a fast, safe, and easy way to send and receive money with friends, family, and others you trust. Available through many banking apps in the U.S., Zelle allows for direct bank transfers between users, making transactions quick and convenient. This system eliminates the need for checks or cash and speeds up the process of money transfer.

Screenshot of Zelle's website

Zelle in healthcare

In a healthcare environment, Zelle can serve as a convenient tool for handling non-sensitive financial transactions, recognizing that it is not suitable for any activities that might involve Protected Health Information (PHI). Healthcare organizations could utilize Zelle for transactions like accepting donations for charity events, collecting payments for non-medical community workshops, or even settling minor expenses among staff members. Its widespread availability across various banks and its real-time payment processing can offer a simple and quick way to manage certain financial interactions that are unrelated to patient care or medical services.

Zelle and HIPAA compliance

It's important to note that Zelle is not HIPAA compliant. The service is intended for transactions, not for transmitting any kind of Protected Health Information (PHI). Also, Zelle will not sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), a requirement for HIPAA compliance. Therefore, Zelle should not be used in scenarios where patient information would be involved. More details can be found in Zelle's Privacy Policy.

Staying HIPAA Compliant

Take a look at our ultimate guide to HIPAA compliant software and services for help selecting compliant service providers. Though careful vendor evaluation and selection is only one piece of the puzzle for maintaining HIPAA compliance. At TeachMeHIPAA, we offer an affordable HIPAA training solution to ensure your staff are knowledgeable in how to comply, and to help you meet your legally mandated HIPAA training requirement with ease. Learn more about our tips and tricks for maintaining compliance with our HIPAA compliance blog.