Quick Answer
Yes, Google Voice can be HIPAA compliant when used with a paid Google Workspace account and a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). The free consumer version is NOT compliant and should never be used for patient information.
How Much Does HIPAA-Compliant Google Voice Cost?
To use Google Voice in a HIPAA-compliant manner, you need both a Google Workspace subscription and a Google Voice add-on. Here's the breakdown:
| Component | Plan | Cost/User/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace | Business Starter (minimum) | $7 |
| Google Voice | Starter | $10 |
| Google Voice | Standard | $20 |
| Google Voice | Premier | $30 |
| Minimum Total for HIPAA Compliance | $17/user/month | |
Important: You cannot subscribe to Google Voice separately and be HIPAA compliant. The BAA only covers Google Voice when purchased as an add-on to a Google Workspace plan.
Requirements for HIPAA-Compliant Google Voice
Simply having Google Voice doesn't make you compliant. Follow these steps to properly configure HIPAA-compliant Google Voice:
Subscribe to Google Workspace
Sign up for a paid Google Workspace plan (starts at $7/user/month)
Add Google Voice
Purchase Google Voice as an add-on ($10-30/user/month)
Sign the BAA
Accept Google's Business Associate Addendum in Admin Console
Configure Security
Enable MFA, audit logging, and proper access controls
Assign Licenses
Assign Google Voice licenses only to managed users
Train Staff
Ensure all users understand HIPAA-compliant usage
⚠️Google Voice Limitations for Healthcare
Even when configured for HIPAA compliance, Google Voice has significant limitations for healthcare practices:
🚫Free Google Voice is NOT HIPAA Compliant
The free consumer version of Google Voice should never be used for patient communication. It lacks:
- ✕ No Business Associate Agreement available
- ✕ No admin controls or audit logging
- ✕ No data processing agreements
- ✕ Terms of service prohibit healthcare use
Using free Google Voice for PHI can result in HIPAA violations with fines up to $50,000 per incident.
Better HIPAA-Compliant Alternatives
These healthcare-focused phone systems offer more features at competitive prices, with HIPAA compliance built in:
RingCentral
All-in-one unified communications
- Voice, video, messaging
- Team collaboration
- Call recording
- BAA available
RingRx
Medical practices
- Healthcare-specific
- Voice, text, fax
- Auto-attendant
- After-hours routing
8x8
Telehealth providers
- Video conferencing
- Contact center
- Global reach
- Analytics
Phone.com
Budget-conscious practices
- HIPAA on all plans
- Video meetings
- Voicemail transcription
- Call routing
Nextiva
Customer experience focus
- Auto-attendant
- Analytics
- CRM integration
- Call pop
Dialpad
AI-powered features
- AI transcription
- Real-time coaching
- Modern interface
- Integrations
Our Recommendation
For most medical practices, RingRx offers the best value with healthcare-specific features at $15-25/user/month. If you need video conferencing and team collaboration, RingCentral is a solid all-in-one choice at $15/user/month.
Other HIPAA-Covered Google Services
Google Workspace includes several services covered under the BAA. When properly configured, you can use these for PHI:
Google Meet
Video conferencing for telehealth
Gmail
Secure email communication
Google Drive
Document storage & sharing
Google Docs
Collaborative documents
Google Sheets
Data tracking & analysis
Google Calendar
Appointment scheduling
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Voice HIPAA compliant?
Yes, Google Voice can be HIPAA compliant, but only when used as part of a paid Google Workspace plan with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). The free consumer version of Google Voice is NOT HIPAA compliant and should not be used for Protected Health Information.
How much does HIPAA-compliant Google Voice cost?
HIPAA-compliant Google Voice costs a minimum of $17/user/month: $7/month for Google Workspace (minimum) plus $10/month for Google Voice Starter plan. Enterprise plans with more features cost $20-30/user/month.
Can I use free Google Voice for patient calls?
No, the free consumer version of Google Voice should never be used for patient communication. It lacks the security controls, audit capabilities, and legal agreements (BAA) required for HIPAA compliance. Using it for PHI puts your practice at risk of violations.
Is Google Meet HIPAA compliant for telehealth?
Yes, Google Meet is HIPAA compliant when used with a Google Workspace account that has a signed BAA. It's included in the same covered services as Google Voice and can be used for telehealth visits.
What are better alternatives to Google Voice for healthcare?
Popular HIPAA-compliant alternatives include RingCentral ($15/user/month), RingRx ($15-25/user/month, built for healthcare), 8x8 ($20/user/month), and Phone.com ($15-32/user/month). These offer more healthcare-specific features like shared lines, call queuing, and on-call scheduling.
Simplify Your Healthcare Documentation
While you're setting up HIPAA-compliant communication, don't forget documentation. PatientNotes uses AI to generate clinical notes, saving you 2+ hours daily.
HIPAA compliant. $50/month. BAA included.