Protecting patient data: HIPAA compliance tips for WordPress and WooCommerce users

The growing adoption of digital tools in healthcare has led many practitioners and businesses to establish an online presence. Whether it’s offering telehealth services, selling prescription medications, or managing patient records through web portals, handling sensitive patient information online is now common. With this shift comes a heightened responsibility: ensuring that all systems managing healthcare data comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

For healthcare providers and vendors using WordPress and WooCommerce, HIPAA compliance is not straightforward. These platforms were not built with healthcare privacy standards in mind, but with careful planning and the right security measures, they can still be used safely. This article explores how HIPAA applies to online healthcare businesses, the challenges of using WordPress and WooCommerce, and how compliance can be achieved.

HIPAA basics for online platforms

HIPAA was enacted in 1996 to safeguard individuals’ medical data, especially as it moved into electronic formats. At its core, HIPAA protects electronic protected health information (ePHI)—any personally identifiable health data stored, processed, or transmitted electronically.

Covered entities under HIPAA include health plans, healthcare providers, and healthcare clearinghouses. Business associates—vendors, contractors, and partners handling ePHI on behalf of covered entities—must also comply. This is typically formalized through a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

Types of data protected under HIPAA

HIPAA protects much more than just medical diagnoses. It applies to a broad range of sensitive information, including names, contact details, and demographic data. Medical histories, treatment records, and prescription details are also covered, as well as payment and billing information related to healthcare services.

Essentially, any data that can be used to identify a patient falls under HIPAA’s protection. This means that even something as basic as a form where a patient enters their name and describes their symptoms is subject to HIPAA regulations if it is submitted through a healthcare-related website.

The five core HIPAA rules

HIPAA is governed by five main rules that outline how healthcare data must be handled. Each addresses different aspects of protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Privacy rule: Establishes patients’ rights over their health information, including access, amendment, and control over disclosures.

Security rule: Requires administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect ePHI.

Breach notification rule: Mandates that affected individuals and authorities be notified promptly if a breach occurs.

Enforcement rule: Outlines investigations, penalties, and procedures in case of noncompliance.

Omnibus rule: Expands responsibilities to business associates and strengthens privacy protections.

These rules are enforced by the U.S. DOH and Human Services (HHS) through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which can impose substantial fines for violations.

Challenges with WordPress and WooCommerce

WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world, and WooCommerce powers a significant portion of eCommerce websites. However, neither was designed with HIPAA compliance in mind.

Out of the box, WordPress is not HIPAA compliant. It does not offer built-in encryption for data at rest or in transit, and it cannot sign a BAA, which is a fundamental requirement for compliance. Any healthcare provider using WordPress must implement advanced customizations and partner with HIPAA-compliant third-party service providers.

WooCommerce extends WordPress into a full-featured eCommerce platform. While it supports secure payment methods and integrates with PCI DSS-compliant payment gateways for handling credit card information, it lacks default protections for ePHI.

Moreover, WooCommerce stores order and customer data directly in the WordPress database. Without proper encryption, access controls, and secure hosting, this presents a serious HIPAA liability.

Achieving HIPAA compliance

Although WordPress and WooCommerce have certain limitations, they can still be adapted to meet HIPAA compliance requirements. However, achieving this involves a carefully planned approach, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to following best practices.

Use HIPAA-compliant hosting: One of the most important steps is to select a HIPAA-compliant hosting provider. Such a provider ensures that data is encrypted both at rest and during transmission, offers secure backups to protect information, maintains detailed audit logs for accountability, and signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to formalize their commitment to safeguarding protected health information.

Common hosting providers that offer HIPAA-compliant services include Atlantic.Net, Amazon AWS (with specific configurations), and Liquid Web.

Secure web forms and data transmission: All forms collecting ePHI must be secured with SSL encryption and run over HTTPS to protect data in transit. Use HIPAA-compliant form plugins like Jotform Enterprise or Formstack instead of default WordPress forms. Data from forms should not be stored on the site unless encrypted; ideally, it should be sent directly to a HIPAA-compliant system via secure API.

Strengthen access and audit controls: HIPAA’s Security Rule requires only authorized users to access ePHI. WordPress sites should use role-based access and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. Keeping WordPress and plugins updated is essential to prevent vulnerabilities. Logging admin actions with tools like WP Activity Log helps maintain accountability. Staff handling patient data also need proper training on security practices.

Integration best practices

For businesses that require ePHI collection but still want to use WordPress and WooCommerce, hybrid strategies can reduce risk and maintain user experience.

Offload ePHI to compliant platforms: Instead of storing ePHI in WordPress, connect your site with external HIPAA-compliant services like secure patient portals or telehealth platforms. WooCommerce can also link to HIPAA-compliant ERP or CRM systems that handle ePHI safely. Alternatively, ePHI from forms can be sent directly to third-party services via APIs, avoiding storage in WordPress. This lets you use WordPress and WooCommerce without managing sensitive data directly.

Minimize data collection: Avoid collecting unnecessary health data. For example, if you run an eCommerce store selling over-the-counter health products, you likely don’t need medical histories or treatment records. Always limit data collection to what’s absolutely necessary for the service offered.

Proceed with caution and expertise

HIPAA compliance is not a one-time configuration—it’s an ongoing process that requires technical rigor, policy enforcement, and staff awareness. WordPress and WooCommerce can be used in the healthcare space, but only with careful customization, compliant infrastructure, and professional oversight.

If you’re planning to run a healthcare-related website on WordPress or sell medical products using WooCommerce, you’ll need to involve legal counsel and developers experienced in HIPAA compliance. Ensure that every integration, every form, and every user access point is secured and monitored.

WordPress and WooCommerce aren’t HIPAA compliant by default, but compliance is possible with secure hosting, third-party integrations, and strict policies. Avoid storing ePHI directly unless all safeguards are in place. With proper precautions and expert help, businesses can securely meet healthcare regulations even on platforms not built for HIPAA.