Using a HIPAA-compliant Gmail account synced with Apple Mail client... am I still HIPAA-compliant?

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Using a HIPAA-compliant Gmail account synced with Apple Mail client... am I still HIPAA-compliant?

I am a mental health therapist. I have a HIPAA-compliant Gmail account. If I connect that to the Apple Mail client on my MacBook, am I still HIPAA compliant? Or in other words, does the Apple Mail client route my Gmail emails through an Apple server to get to me, or is the Apple Mail client merely presenting my Gmail emails to me in a different (Mac) interface?

Posted on Nov 3, 2023 3:25 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 3, 2023 3:32 PM in response to AppleBoyLost

You’ll want and will really need to discuss HIPAA compliance questions with your local HIPAA compliance folks.

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Answer 2

John Galt

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Nov 4, 2023 7:04 AM in response to AppleBoyLost

... does the Apple Mail client route my Gmail emails through an Apple server to get to me ...

The answer to that question is no.

The Mail app is an email client like any other. The email protocol in general cannot guarantee end-to-end encryption, so I doubt it will be considered HIPAA-compliant.

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Using a HIPAA-compliant Gmail account synced with Apple Mail client... am I still HIPAA-compliant?

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