Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it HIPAA-compliant to text a photo of a patient document?
Usually not. Apple doesn't sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for iCloud, so a photo of PHI that syncs to iCloud Photos or iCloud Backup is likely a HIPAA violation unless those are turned off. Regular text messages (SMS/MMS) aren't end-to-end encrypted, so the image can pass through your mobile carrier's systems. It then also sits on the recipient's phone and in their backups. Elescan® keeps scans out of your camera roll and lets you text a secure, expiring link instead of the photo.
Is it HIPAA-compliant to attach patient documents from Gmail or other free email accounts?
Not safely. Free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.com don't sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), and the provider can access what you send, including attachments. Elescan® works with the email you already have by sending a password-protected, expiring link instead of an attachment, so PHI never sits in the message. Links also get around attachment size limits, which are about 20–25 MB on most email services.
How can I send a HIPAA-compliant fax from my iPhone?
Elescan® sends faxes from an iPhone or iPad with no fax machine, no printing and no separate fax service. You scan the document or pick one already in your Elescan® library, type the fax number, and send. Sent faxes stay in your Elescan® library, and a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is included.
What is a HIPAA-compliant scanner app for iPhone?
Elescan® is a HIPAA-compliant document scanner app for iPhone and iPad, made by Anescribe®, LLC and built by a practicing, board-certified anesthesiologist. Scans are secured in Elescan®'s HIPAA-compliant cloud the moment you capture them, not in your camera roll. From one library you can store, fax, email and text patient documents, and a BAA is included.
What other HIPAA-compliant scanner/fax apps exist for iPhone and iPad?
As of late 2026, EncryptScan is a HIPAA-compliant scanner app that costs $49 per month for one user, and pricing for organizations requires scheduling a demo. iFax, Fax.Plus and eFax are fax services with iPhone and iPad apps, but HIPAA compliance only comes with their higher-priced plans: $24.99 per month for iFax, $49.99 per month for eFax, and $99.99 per month for Fax.Plus. Their largest plans require contacting sales. Elescan® scans, faxes, emails, texts and stores patient documents in one app for $11/month or $109.99/year, with a BAA included and no sales call. Elescan® demos are available on our website and YouTube for your convenience any time.
Where can I store patient documents in a HIPAA-compliant way?
Patient documents need storage from a company that signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). iCloud doesn't sign one, and neither do the free versions of Google Drive and Dropbox. Elescan® includes a BAA and unlimited storage on its Pro plans. You can scan from an iPhone or iPad, or upload files from any Windows PC or Mac at app.elescan.com by dragging them in, up to 150 MB per file. If you stop paying, you keep access to the documents you already stored.
Does Elescan® sign a BAA?
Yes. Every Elescan® account includes a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) from Anescribe®, LLC, a physician-owned company, and you accept it when you sign up. There's no sales call and no separate paperwork to request.
How much does Elescan® cost?
Elescan® costs $11 per month with a 3-day free trial, or $109.99 per year with a 7-day free trial. You can pay by credit card on the web, so Elescan® can be a business expense. No sales call or demo is required. Individual plans are available now, and group plans are coming soon.
Can I use Elescan® on a computer?
Yes. Any Windows PC or Mac can open the Elescan® web console at app.elescan.com in a browser. In the web console you can view your Elescan® files, organize folders, and upload files with the Upload button or by dragging them in, up to 150 MB per file. Scanning is done with the iPhone or iPad app.
