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iPlum is the best OhMD alternative for healthcare providers looking for a feature-rich, HIPAA-compliant texting and calling option..
While OhMD has a free plan, it doesn’t mark messages as read/unread, has no group texting feature or a phone tree.
Furthermore, you must subscribe to a higher, expensive tier to access a standard feature like two-way texting.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through OhMD alternatives such as iPlum, compare features, and even look at how they handle HIPAA compliance.
First things first,
OhMD Reviews: What Are Users Saying?
You can quickly tell what to expect with patient engagement software by looking at what customers say.
Here are some OhMD reviews showing the service's downsides and upsides.
❌ Trouble uploading images
A few users mention recent difficulties attaching pictures to messages.
“I have been having trouble uploading pictures lately.” — Tracy L., G2
❌ Missing features: tagging, analytics, and real-time typing
A few users want more advanced tools like message tags, user typing indicators, and usage reports.
“Wish it had reporting analytics… and a way to avoid double texting patients.” — Lori B., G2
❌ Slow performance and patient lookup issues
Some users report lagging or glitches when searching for patients.
“Consistently slow and has frequent hiccups in terms of finding patients in the system.” — Verified User, G2
❌ No option to send individual bulk messages
There’s no feature to send mass messages that feel personalized per recipient.
“You can't send out a mass message to multiple people individually…” — Kayla C., G2
❌ Limited message templates
While helpful, the templates could be more specific and varied.
“We use the same template for multiple uses and have to change the details…” — Alyssa G., G2
❌ No unread message marker for follow-up
Some teams want the ability to mark messages unread for later response.
“I wish OhMD had a feature to mark messages as unread…” — Emily M., G2
❌ Occasional service outages
A few users experienced delays due to downtime or missed messages.
“There are outages frequently… clinicians would not receive messages until hours later.” — Verified User, G2
✔ Easy to use and quick to learn
Most reviews mention that OhMD is simple to navigate and doesn’t require much training.
“So easy to use… an imperative application in this day and age of text.” — Dennis S., G2
✔ Boosts patient response rates
Texting helps connect with patients who ignore calls or voicemails.
“Most patients have their phones set to block unknown callers… everyone texts these days.” — Sheri S., G2
OhMD Features
Some OhMD features for patient collaboration include:
- Texting – Send and receive texts to patients.
- Patient Calling – Call patients from your computer using your office number.
- Forms and File Sharing – Send and receive intake forms, surveys, and documents via text
- Landline Texting – Use your office number for patient SMS.
Why Look for an OhMD Alternative?
Here are some reasons to consider an OhMD alternative based on user reviews:
- Expensive compared to alternatives like iPlum
- Frequent logouts interrupt workflow
- Lack of private messaging between staff
- Limited control over message read/unread status
- Mobile app lacks key admin features
- Frequent app freezes
- Reported outages that delay patient messages
- Limited message templates
- You must track ppt-outs manually
- No phone tree
….switching gears
Best OhMD Alternatives
The fact that OhMD doesn’t guarantee true HIPAA compliance is reason enough to look for an alternative that does.
And in the sections below, we’ll explore the best alternatives to OhMD to ensure your service remains HIPAA compliant and can access other features the platform doesn’t provide.
Before we dive in, here’s a quick comparison table
1. iPlum (Best Value)
iPlum is a solid alternative to OhMD if you want to take your patient engagement to the next level.
First, unlike OhMD, iPlum doesn’t limit communication to app-based messaging. Instead, it allows direct calls and texts for faster, smoother, and instantaneous doctor-to-patient interaction.
Sure, OhMD, like iPlum, supports patient calling. However, its web-based calling depends on internet connectivity, which can be unreliable.
iPlum, on the other hand, lets you switch between Wi-Fi and carrier networks, keeping calls clear even in areas with spotty internet.
Automation is another area where iPlum pulls ahead.
OhMD has appointment reminders, but iPlum takes it further with auto-attendant, a feature that answers incoming calls with a greeting and routes callers to the right extension or department automatically.
Meanwhile, voicemail transcription makes it easy to review messages without dialing in.
That’s not all there is to iPlum’s feature, roaster, though. Click the link below to discover more tools.
Let’s talk about iPlum’s HIPAA compliance compared to OhMD.
As stated, OhMD HIPAA compliance is a shared responsibility between the platform and the user.
The platform offers a fully HIPAA-compliant number service for calling and texting, complete with built-in safeguards.
Plus, every iPlum number automatically includes a BAA, which means that security measures—like SMS and iPlum to iPlum encrypted texting—are available by default.
In addition, iPlum provides HIPAA-compliant faxing, allowing healthcare professionals to send and receive sensitive documents securely.
To further reinforce compliance, iPlum offers business accounts that support multiple sub-accounts. This allows users to assign HIPAA-compliant phone numbers to associates.
As a result, healthcare professionals can ensure that all communications—whether calls, texts, voicemails, or faxes—meet HIPAA standards across the entire practice.
Furthermore, iPlum allows number porting for users who want to retain their existing numbers while ensuring HIPAA compliance.
This ensures that all communications on an existing phone number are protected under iPlum’s HIPAA-compliant system.
iPlum Pricing
Price rating: 2/5
iPlum offers 3 pricing plans.
The Standard Plan includes mobile app calling and texting in the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, auto-replies, business hours, and phone tree.
The Professional plan builds upon the Standard plan, offering web-based calling and texting, secure encrypted texting, voicemail transcription, group and broadcast messaging, text archiving, and HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare.
The Enterprise plan offers everything in the Professional plan, plus call recording and compliance features for finance, insurance, legal, sales, and support sectors.
See iPlum’s pricing page for current rates.
How to Get Started with iPlum
Getting started with iPlum is a breeze.
You only need to port/transfer your OhMD to iPlum by following these quick, easy-to-follow steps.
Sounds good?
Port Your OhMD Number to iPlum
2. Dialpad
Dialpad is one of the OhMD alternatives that allows you to leverage AI for patient communication.
Its notable AI features include real-time transcription and automated meeting summaries.
Dialpad also offers calling, messaging, and video conferencing, matching OhMD’s core patient communication tools.
When it comes to HIPAA compliance, both platforms have taken commendable steps to ensure security.
However, you need to know a few things.
OhMD encrypts messages, but secure texting requires patient consent. Dialpad, on the other hand, also supports encrypted communications and includes access controls. However, like OhMD, its HIPAA compliance isn’t built-in.
Both require specific configurations to meet HIPAA requirements. Healthcare providers must also sign a BAA and adjust settings accordingly.
This not only creates unnecessary inconveniences but also means you can never be sure if patient engagement is 100% HIPAA compliant.
Therefore, Dialpad’s AI-powered features, while useful, don’t necessarily enhance HIPAA compliance.
That said, iPlum is a good Dialpad alternative if you’re in for a plug-and-play patient texting and calling solution that doesn’t require ongoing monitoring for HIPAA compliance.
3. Google Voice
Google Voice is a calling and texting service like OhMD that healthcare professionals can use to communicate with patients. It enables doctors and administrators to manage calls, voicemails, and texts from any device for staff-to-patient coordination.
Google Voice differs from OhMD in its broad functionality.
On the one hand, OhMD caters to patient engagement with features like automated messaging and EHR integrations. Google Voice, in comparison, is a more versatile phone system. It bundles tools such as calling, texting, voicemail transcription, number porting, and multi-device into a single platform.
It also integrates with Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Google Calendar.
So, is Google Voice HIPAA compliant?
To access Google Voice HIPAA compliance tools, you must use it along with a paid Google Workspace subscription.
And even then, you must set up access controls, audit logs, and data security measures to align with HIPAA rules.
Google Voice, therefore, like Dialpad, fails to offer true HIPAA compliance.
That said, healthcare providers using Google Voice must be cautious, as misconfigured settings can compromise compliance.
4. Nextiva
Nextiva can be a good OhMD alternative for large healthcare facilities and medical call centers.
It allows you to centralize patient communication with calls, texts, chatbot interactions, emails, and social media messages.
With AI-driven scheduling, patients can book appointments and make payments 24/7 through chatbots or voice commands, reducing administrative workload.
Furthermore, virtual consultations via HD video calls help to expand care access, while automated reminders lower appointment no-show rates.
Moreover, Nextiva’s omnichannel capabilities allow healthcare providers to manage patient inquiries—whether through phone, text, or social media— in one place, eliminating fragmented communication.
Meanwhile, Nextiva’s internal tools allow for real-time collaboration, enabling front desk staff, nurses, and physicians to stay connected.
All of the above features are impressive.
However, Nextiva, like the other Ohmd alternatives we’ve reviewed before (apart from iPlum), doesn’t offer true HIPAA compliance.
For instance, the platform disables voicemail transcription, voicemail-to-text, and visual voicemail for HIPAA-compliant accounts. This limits accessibility for providers using these features for quick patient updates.
In addition, Nextiva restricts faxing, preventing users from sending faxes directly from email. Instead, they must retrieve documents through a secure portal.
While this ensures data security, it can add complexity to everyday workflows.
5. Grasshopper
Grasshopper is an alternative to OhMD that caters to small healthcare practices looking for a minimalist virtual phone system.
Its notable features include a virtual receptionist that helps clinics add a professional touch to how they answer calls and, by extension, create a polished first impression.
Grasshopper also offers call forwarding and voice transcription to allow doctors to review messages quickly. And then there’s the business texting function to send appointment reminders or quick patient updates.
Meanwhile, the desktop and mobile apps enable doctors to manage patient communication from anywhere, whether in the office, at home, or on the go.
Grasshopper is not HIPAA compliant, on its own admission.
While it may have the basic tools to call and send SMS to patients, it may be a good fit for sending protected health information.
Therefore, healthcare providers should only use Grasshopper sparingly to avoid violating HIPAA regulations.
Alternatives to OhMD—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is OhMD HIPAA compliant?
OhMD is HIPAA compliant and signs a BAA but doesn’t provide full compliance.
Users must implement their own safeguards, as it lacks built-in protections like secure voicemail storage and encrypted voice calling.
Does OhMD Offer a Free Plan?
Yes, OhMD provides a free plan. However, it comes with serious limitations.
The free version only supports basic messaging and lacks key features like voice calls, video visits, and automation tools.
Can OhMD Be Used for Telehealth?
Yes, OhMD includes video visit functionality, allowing providers to conduct virtual consultations.
However, it lacks advanced telehealth features such as automated appointment scheduling, insurance billing integration, and full EHR compatibility.
Hence, practices requiring a more comprehensive telehealth solution may find OhMD’s capabilities insufficient for their needs.
Best OhMD Alternatives—Why Choose OhMD Over Competitors
If you're serious about secure, hassle-free patient communication, iPlum is a solid option.
Unlike OhMD and other alternatives, iPlum delivers true HIPAA compliance out of the box. You don’t need an extra setup. Besides, there is no shared responsibility.
With secure texting, encrypted calls, and an automatic BAA, you get peace of mind knowing your practice is fully protected.
Plus, iPlum's direct phone and text capabilities make it easier for patients to reach you without jumping through hoops.
And with pricing that's a fraction of OhMD's cost, why pay more for less?
Make the switch today.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and may not reflect the most current features or capabilities of the products or companies mentioned. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources of each company.
