Medical and dental answering services
Updated 2026-10-29 · Facts checked against vendor websites on the date shown · How we compare
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Short answerHealthcare practices need an answering service that protects patient information and never gives medical advice. Of the services we checked on 29 Oct 2026, Ruby (from $250/mo) and Abby Connect (from $164/mo, on human calls) list HIPAA options, and Retell AI and Synthflow list HIPAA for AI agents. PATLive (from $99/mo) names medical among its markets. For AI booking, Nextiva ($99/mo) names dental practices. Confirm a signed BAA before any patient call goes through.
Prices and trials from each vendor's own website, checked 2026-10-29. Plans change often: confirm on the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
What a practice needs
- HIPAA (US) or data protection compliance, with a signed BAA where required.
- Appointment booking, confirmation and rescheduling connected to your system.
- After-hours triage that follows your protocol and reaches the on-call clinician.
- No advice. Scripts must stop at taking details and routing.
- Bilingual cover if your patients need it.
Live and hybrid services
Ruby
From $250/mo for 50 receptionist minutes. Lists HIPAA options, 24/7 live receptionists and 24/7 Spanish/bilingual. Healthcare is named among its markets.
Abby Connect
From $164/mo for 50 “Abby Minutes”. Lists HIPAA options on human calls, English and Spanish, and human and AI on the same call. Ask how HIPAA applies when the AI handles part of the call.
PATLive
From $99/mo for 50 minutes, 14-day trial. US-based receptionists, booking, bilingual included, no AI. Medical is named among its markets. HIPAA terms were not in the facts we checked; ask.
Smith.ai
From $300/mo for 30 calls. HIPAA was not listed in the facts we checked; ask before using it for patient calls.
AI options
- Nextiva AI Receptionist: $99/mo for 100 interactions; lists booking, confirming and rescheduling; names dental practices.
- Allo: AI Receptionist add-on $32 per agent per month (annual) on top of a seat; names medical offices.
- Builder platforms with HIPAA: Retell AI (HIPAA-ready), Vapi (HIPAA add-on), Bland AI (BAA on Enterprise), Synthflow (HIPAA, enterprise only). These need technical set-up.
Before you switch anything on
- Get the BAA signed and filed.
- Check where call recordings and transcripts are stored and for how long.
- Write the triage protocol with your clinical lead.
- Test with staff posing as patients, including an urgent scenario.
Related: after-hours answering, AI receptionist vs answering service.
FAQ
Does a medical answering service need to be HIPAA compliant?
In the US, if the service handles protected health information for a covered entity, it acts as a business associate and you need a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Ask for the BAA in writing before go-live; a 'HIPAA' badge on a website is not enough.
Which answering services offer HIPAA options?
On 29 Oct 2026, Ruby listed HIPAA options and Abby Connect listed HIPAA options on human calls. Among AI platforms, Retell AI listed HIPAA readiness, Synthflow listed HIPAA, Vapi a HIPAA add-on and Bland AI a BAA on Enterprise.
Can an AI receptionist book patient appointments?
Yes, technically. Nextiva lists booking, confirming and rescheduling and names dental practices; Allo names medical offices. Check it connects to your practice management system and that HIPAA terms cover the AI part of the service.
Should an answering service triage medical calls?
Only by following the practice's own written protocol, and anything urgent should go to the on-call clinician or emergency services. Receptionists and AI should never give medical advice.