If your organization collects patient information online, you need a HIPAA compliant website — not just a secure-looking one.

Even a simple appointment request form can trigger requirements under the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR Part 164 Subpart C). According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), covered entities must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI)

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • What makes a website HIPAA compliant
  • Which website builders and CMS platforms can support compliance
  • How to make a website HIPAA compliant step-by-step
  • A practical HIPAA compliant website checklist
  • How to audit your current site quickly

→ If you’re unsure whether your website is compliant, Request a Free Consultation — our team works with healthcare organizations nationwide.

What Makes a HIPAA Compliant Website?

A HIPAA compliant website must align with:

  • §164.308 — Administrative Safeguards
  • §164.310 — Physical Safeguards
  • §164.312 — Technical Safeguards

Read the full regulation reference

Technical Safeguards Required

Under §164.312, organizations must implement:

  • Unique user identification
  • Access controls
  • Audit controls
  • Integrity protections
  • Transmission security
  • Encryption (addressable but strongly expected)

Encryption standards are further supported by:

  • NIST SP 800-52 Rev. 2 (TLS guidance):
    https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-52/rev-2/final
  • NIST SP 800-111 (data-at-rest encryption):
    https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-111/final

Although encryption is labeled “addressable,” OCR enforcement history shows failure to encrypt is frequently cited in settlements.

According to the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) breach portal, thousands of healthcare breaches have affected hundreds of millions of individuals since 2009.

Website misconfigurations and unsecured databases are recurring causes.

→ If you’re unsure about your exposure, Schedule a Free HIPAA Risk Assessment — quick, no-obligation review.

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Which Website Builders Can Support a HIPAA Compliant Website?

There is no out-of-the-box “HIPAA compliant” CMS.

Compliance depends on infrastructure, configuration, monitoring, and signed Business Associate Agreements (BAAs).

Don't wait until it's too late. Download our free HIPAA Compliance Checklist and make sure your organization is protected.

WordPress & HIPAA Compliance

WordPress is widely used in healthcare — and it can support a HIPAA compliant website when deployed properly.

However, WordPress itself is not compliant by default.

Compliance depends on:

  • HIPAA-aligned hosting infrastructure
  • Hardened server configurations
  • Encrypted database storage
  • Secure form handling
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)
  • Access controls and logging
  • Signed BAAs

How HIPAA Vault Supports Secure WordPress Deployments

HIPAA Vault supports healthcare organizations running WordPress by providing:

  • HIPAA-compliant hosting environments
  • Hardened infrastructure configurations
  • Encryption at rest
  • Secure backup systems
  • Continuous monitoring
  • Signed BAAs

This allows providers to continue using WordPress while operating within a compliant framework.

For secure WordPress infrastructure, explore HIPAA Hosting Solutions optimized for healthcare workloads.

→ If you already run WordPress, Schedule a Free HIPAA Risk Assessment to evaluate your current configuration.

Webflow, Wix, and Other SaaS Builders

Most SaaS website builders:

  • Do not sign BAAs
  • Operate on shared infrastructure
  • Limit backend security control

If PHI is collected, these platforms are typically unsuitable.

HIPAA Compliant Website Checklist

Use this HIPAA compliant website checklist to evaluate your environment.

Technical Controls

  • HTTPS with TLS 1.2+
  • Encryption at rest
  • WAF + firewall
  • Intrusion detection
  • MFA for administrators
  • Audit logging
  • Secure backups
  • Session timeout controls

Administrative Controls

  • Signed BAAs (hosting, email, vendors)
  • Documented risk analysis
  • Incident response plan
  • Workforce security training

Policies Required on Your Website

A HIPAA compliant website should display:

  • Privacy Policy
  • Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy (if tracking)

To proactively identify vulnerabilities, consider HIPAA Penetration Testing before attackers do.

Want a printable copy?
Download the HIPAA Compliance Checklist — trusted by providers nationwide.

How to Make a Website HIPAA Compliant (Step-by-Step)

If you’re asking how to make a website HIPAA compliant, follow this framework.

Step 1: Secure Hosting Infrastructure

Move to infrastructure that supports:

  • Encryption at rest
  • Access controls
  • Monitoring
  • Logging
  • Signed BAAs

Start with HIPAA Hosting Solutions built specifically for healthcare organizations.

Step 2: Secure Forms & Email

Standard contact forms are not designed for PHI.

Implement encrypted form handlers and pair them with HIPAA Compliant Email to protect outbound communications.

Step 3: Implement NIST-Level Encryption

Follow:

  • NIST SP 800-52 (TLS)
  • NIST SP 800-111 (storage encryption)

OCR enforcement data shows encryption failures are a recurring issue

Step 4: Conduct a Documented Risk Analysis

HIPAA §164.308(a)(1)(ii)(A) requires ongoing risk analysis.

If you cannot produce documentation, you are not compliant.

You can Schedule a Free HIPAA Risk Assessment to identify gaps quickly.

How to Audit Your Current Website for HIPAA Compliance

To audit your website:

  1. Verify BAAs are signed
  2. Review server configuration
  3. Scan for vulnerabilities
  4. Test encryption settings
  5. Review access permissions
  6. Validate logging and monitoring
  7. Review posted policies

Many providers discover exposed staging servers or improperly configured cloud storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Secure Infrastructure Builds Patient Trust

A properly configured HIPAA compliant website protects patient data, reduces liability, and builds credibility.

Your CMS matters.
But your infrastructure matters more.

HIPAA Vault provides healthcare-grade hosting, encryption, monitoring, and compliance support trusted nationwide.

Ready to Secure Your Website?

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