A HIPAA-compliant PDF editor lets users edit, share, and manage PDFs securely. It follows the privacy and security rules set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These tools ensure sensitive patient health information (PHI) stays confidential and protected at all times.
Why use a HIPAA-compliant pdf editor?
When you handle medical records, a compliant editor allows you to redact, annotate, or e-sign documents securely. It encrypts files and maintains an audit trail, giving you control over who accesses the information. These tools follow strict security standards to safeguard data, preventing unauthorized access or breaches. They also help you meet legal requirements, reducing the risk of penalties for non-compliance. By choosing a HIPAA-compliant PDF editor, you demonstrate your commitment to patient privacy and data protection.
1. Google G Suite
Google Workspace and Cloud Identity support HIPAA compliance by ensuring the protection of sensitive health information. Under HIPAA, any information about a person’s health or health care services is classified as Protected Health Information (PHI). Although the Google Play Store offers many PDF editors, Google does not provide its own downloadable PDF editing software. However, Chrome includes a built-in PDF viewer that allows you to annotate, highlight, draw on, sign, and fill PDFs.
2. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 complies with HIPAA standards, but users must ensure they follow HIPAA rules and configure the platform correctly. Microsoft’s Business Associate Agreement (BAA) protects data for all relevant services and customers covered by HIPAA. You can edit a PDF in Word by opening it, creating a copy, and converting its contents into a displayable format. Word does not alter the original PDF. To use Office 365 in a HIPAA-compliant way, organizations must ensure PHI does not appear in restricted areas. Healthcare organizations must also implement access management to meet HIPAA requirements.
3. Jotform
Jotform simplifies HIPAA-compliant documentation with user-friendly tools. It allows you to securely collect electronic signatures and complete mobile-friendly forms on any device. You can also integrate online payment options. For enhanced security, Jotform Enterprise offers SOC 2 Type II compliance. Additionally, you can create custom forms and request permission to share PHI with family members, researchers, or the marketing team.
5. Updox
Updox integrates seamlessly with most EMRs, offering healthcare providers improved communication tools such as electronic fax, secure text, forms, telehealth, reminders, and document management—all accessible in one inbox. It enhances the patient experience, boosts office productivity, and increases organizational profitability through a single platform. It holds several certifications, including one from the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). Most importantly, offices and patients find it exceptionally easy to use.
4. Kofax Power PDF
Kofax Power PDF is a HIPAA-compliant PDF editor designed to help organizations meet regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, GDPR, and other data protection laws. It provides security features, including password protection, digital signatures, and tools for content redaction, ensuring sensitive information remains protected. The platform also supports collaboration, enabling healthcare professionals to work together on documents like patient records and treatment plans efficiently and securely.
6. DocHub
DocHub is an online PDF editor and document signing platform that allows you to edit, sign, and send documents while ensuring HIPAA compliance. It protects medical documents from unauthorized access during editing, signing, and sending. DocHub authenticates data through secure connectivity, including SSL and SSH, and requires multi-factor authentication for added security.
7. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC can be HIPAA-compliant when used with Adobe Acrobat Sign Solutions or the Adobe Experience Platform Healthcare Shield. Customers can enable HIPAA compliance for Acrobat Sign Solutions by establishing a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Adobe. Adobe offers configuration recommendations to help customers meet their HIPAA compliance requirements.
8. Foxit
Foxit eSign is certified HIPAA-compliant, ensuring that the handling of your patient’s private and sensitive documents always stays within regulation. It protects sensitive information using FIPS encryption mode, which applies FIPS-approved algorithms to produce secure PDFs. Built to meet the requirements of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, Foxit ensures compliance with strict industry standards.
7. Nitro PDF
Nitro provides a comprehensive suite of secure, compliant digital document solutions, empowering you to thrive in the digital healthcare era. With this solution, you can sign and complete documents from anywhere, all while ensuring full compliance with HIPAA and other industry regulations. Nitro allows you to create, edit, sign, and share healthcare documents securely. It offers certificate-based security, enabling you to assign different levels of access to various users.
8. Wondershare PDFelement
PDFelement supports healthcare providers in adapting to digital transformation while meeting HIPAA compliance requirements. Wondershare PDFelement secures sensitive information and protects PDFs effectively. With the v9.0 version, users can encrypt PDFs by setting passwords, restrict unauthorized actions like copying, editing, printing, or viewing, and redact content with a single click. The software also enables fast searches and redactions, making it a reliable tool for safeguarding confidential documents.
9. PDF Expert
PDF Expert is a secure and efficient HIPAA-compliant PDF editor designed for managing sensitive healthcare documents. It allows healthcare professionals to edit, annotate, and fill out forms while ensuring patient information remains protected. The tool incorporates advanced encryption and security features to comply with HIPAA standards, making it suitable for managing medical records and other confidential files
10. iLovePDF
iLovePDF is HIPAA-compliant and provides tools that help users securely handle sensitive patient information. Its redaction tools allow you to remove confidential details from documents before sharing them. The platform also offers digital signature solutions, enabling you to sign medical forms such as patient onboarding forms, medical history forms, and medical release forms securely.
11. Formhippo
FormHippo is a cloud-based platform offering HIPAA-compliant PDF editing and electronic signatures. It enables users to upload PDFs, add interactive fields (like text boxes, signatures, and checkboxes), and securely collect and manage signed documents. Its compliance with HIPAA standards is supported by features like AES 256-bit encryption, SSL security, and the inclusion of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) in all plans.
12. pdfFiller
pdfFiller is an online platform for managing forms and documents. It allows users to edit, print, download, send, and convert files seamlessly. The cloud-based system includes features such as eSignature capabilities, a PDF editor, a form builder, and authentication tools. It also offers mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices. Acting as a comprehensive web app, pdfFiller combines document creation, online PDF editing, eSignature collection, form building, and data collection in one solution.
13. FormDr
Combining multiple forms into a single patient intake packet simplifies the process for both patients and healthcare providers. FormDr enables you to create mobile-friendly forms that patients can complete on any device, improving accessibility and convenience. Its platform allows you to transform paper, PDF, and Word documents into secure, HIPAA-compliant online forms.
14. PandaDoc
PandaDoc provides an efficient way to create, store, and sign sensitive patient health information, aiming to enhance convenience for both you and your patients. By keeping all patient data in one central location, it allows your staff to focus on delivering an excellent patient experience without the hassle of patients spending time in waiting rooms completing confidential paperwork. It fully complies with HIPAA, the Privacy Rule, and the Security Rule’s Administrative, Physical, and Technical Safeguards.
15. CocoDoc
CocoDoc offers a powerful and versatile PDF editor that combines a wide range of tools into one platform. With CocoDoc, you can easily edit, customize, and personalize your PDF documents to suit your specific needs. The platform also provides secure storage options, ensuring your files remain safe and accessible whenever you need them. CocoDoc eliminates the need for multiple tools, saving you time and enhancing productivity.
16. PDF Expert
PDF Expert by Readdle is a popular PDF editor known for its ease of use and robust features, but it does not explicitly guarantee compliance with HIPAA regulations. While it includes security features like encryption and secure file management, there is no direct confirmation from Readdle that the software is suitable for HIPAA-compliant workflows. This makes it less ideal for handling protected health information unless paired with additional HIPAA-compliant solutions or systems
17. Simple PDF
SimplePDF is a lightweight and user-friendly online PDF editor designed for privacy and simplicity. It allows users to edit PDFs directly in their browsers without requiring downloads, sign-ups, or data collection. Features include adding text, signatures, and checkboxes, and it supports PDF filling and minor modifications. It is free for individual users and offers business plans with enhanced features for organizations.
18. The PDF Maker
The PDF Maker by BustBrain Labs transforms document creation with automation and pre-designed templates. It simplifies the process of generating invoices, proposals, contracts, reports, and more. This tool boosts efficiency by automating repetitive tasks such as formatting, calculations, and data entry. It allows you to focus on more strategic work instead of spending time on manual processes. Pre-designed templates further accelerate workflow by reducing the time needed to create documents while maintaining consistency across projects
19. Lumin PDF
Lumin PDF is working towards achieving HIPAA compliance, along with meeting other security standards like NIST 2, FERPA 2, and ISO 27001. It integrates with Google Workspace, enhancing file security by requiring team members to sign in with their Google accounts. Additionally, Lumin offers a redaction tool that allows users to remove sensitive information from documents.
20. UniDoc
21. PDF Reader Pro
PDF Reader Pro is a PDF editor that allows for document management, including editing, annotation, and conversion. The editor offers secure access controls that protect sensitive information from unauthorized users. This feature complies with HIPAA standards, maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring compliance. PDF Reader Pro enables healthcare professionals to quickly access medical records, ensuring they can retrieve important information fast. This feature is particularly valuable in emergencies where rapid decision-making is critical.
22. Xodo Sign
Xodo is a document creation software that helps businesses automate text editing, annotation, digital signatures, and PDF sharing. It supports HIPAA-compliant workflows for healthcare organizations and service providers, offering the necessary tools for compliance. It also serves as an electronic signature and document management platform, ensuring secure handling of documents. Xodo integrates with cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, making data sharing easy.
23. Flipsnack
Flipsnack offers a HIPAA-enabled plan specifically made for organizations that handle PHI. Only this plan includes the necessary features and safeguards required for HIPAA compliance, so it’s crucial to choose it if your organization needs to meet HIPAA standards. Additionally, if you use Flipsnack to manage PHI, you must enter into a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the company to ensure they comply with HIPAA’s protection requirements.
24. AirSlate
AirSlate offers a HIPAA-compliant solution for PDF editing as part of its broader workflow automation platform. The service integrates document generation, e-signatures, and form management while maintaining HIPAA compliance, making it suitable for industries handling sensitive health information. AirSlate ensures compliance through features like secure document handling, two-factor authentication, audit trails, and automated workflows for document routing and signing.
25. DropboxSign
Dropbox Sign is HIPAA-compliant and supports compliance for customers in healthcare, pharmaceutical, and insurance sectors. It offers the option to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), ensuring the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI). The platform includes a PDF editor that allows users to merge, split, and rotate pages, add or delete pages, annotate, comment, and request signatures, as well as convert PDFs into other formats.
26.Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam Revu is a HIPAA-compliant PDF editor for professionals in industries like construction and healthcare. It offers secure document management, collaboration, and editing tools while ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards. Bluebeam Revu allows users to mark up, annotate, and edit PDFs securely, with features such as password protection, encryption, and audit trails. These capabilities help safeguard sensitive patient data and ensure privacy while managing medical documents.
27. PDF Studio
PDF Studio is a powerful PDF editing software known for its comprehensive features and security, including support for HIPAA compliance. The software provides tools for creating, editing, and managing PDF documents, which can be especially valuable in industries like healthcare that deal with sensitive information, such as electronic protected health information (ePHI). Additionally, PDF Studio’s cross-platform compatibility makes it a versatile option, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This allows organizations to integrate the software into a variety of IT environments.
28. FormSwift
FormSwift is a popular online tool for creating and editing PDFs, but its HIPAA compliance is not clearly confirmed from its available resources. While FormSwift provides various document management features such as merging, editing, signing, and secure sharing, its website and reviews do not specifically mention its adherence to HIPAA standards. For users in healthcare or other HIPAA-regulated industries, it’s important to verify if FormSwift’s current setup and plans include a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the service, a key element for HIPAA compliance
29. DoForms
DoForms is indeed a HIPAA-compliant platform suitable for mobile data collection, particularly for healthcare environments. The platform helps organizations securely handle patient information through encrypted forms and multi-factor authentication, ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards. With DoForms, healthcare providers can collect and store patient data securely while also benefiting from integrations like PowerBI for data analysis and dashboard creation.
30. MedForward
MedForward provides a secure online platform where healthcare professionals can convert in-office forms to digital formats. The form editor is designed for ease of use, allowing users to create and customize forms quickly, which patients can then complete on any internet-enabled device, including mobile phones. The platform also ensures HIPAA compliance through SSL encryption for secure data handling, both in transit and at rest.
A HIPAA-compliant PDF editor is essential for securely managing and handling sensitive health information. These tools ensure that patient data remains protected through encryption, audit trails, and secure sharing capabilities. By using a HIPAA-compliant PDF editor, healthcare professionals can efficiently manage medical records, obtain e-signatures, redact sensitive information, and comply with stringent privacy standards.