Telehealth API for Developers to Build Scalable Solutions

The healthcare API market keeps growing at a rapid pace. Experts project it to hit $3.93 billion by 2027, up from $2.53 billion in 2021. Healthcare providers widely use APIs, with 73% already on board. Yet only 53% use them at scale, which creates a chance for telehealth API development. These APIs help boost healthcare providers' efficiency by 40% as they cut down manual work and make data more accessible.

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Building telehealth APIs brings its own set of challenges. Security stands as the biggest concern since healthcare companies faced 599 breaches that exposed over 24.1 million records in 2020.

We at Bask Health know these challenges well. Our research shows that 40% of healthcare providers see APIs as key drivers of their business strategies. This piece offers a detailed guide to building expandable telehealth APIs. We cover everything from HIPAA-compliant security layers to the quickest way to integrate WebRTC for video calls.

This piece guides you through the core architecture patterns and security setup you need. You'll learn strategies to build strong telehealth API solutions that scale with healthcare's growing needs while staying compliant and performing well.

Key Takeaways

The healthcare API market is expected to reach $3.93 billion by 2027, with 73% of providers using APIs but only 53% at scale, presenting growth opportunities.

Telehealth APIs enhance healthcare efficiency by 40% through automation and better data access.

Security is a major concern due to the high number of breaches, necessitating HIPAA-compliant security measures.

The core architecture includes RESTful API design using FHIR standards for EHR interoperability and WebRTC for secure video calls.

Event-driven architecture (EDA) enables live data distribution and efficient scaling with AsyncAPI specifications for event communication.

Dual-level hybrid encryption (AES and ECC) ensures data confidentiality and secure video communication.

Zero-trust architecture and multi-factor authentication enhance access control and security.

Scalable infrastructure relies on cloud-based design, load balancing, database sharding, and strategic caching.

Efficient EHR integration improves data accuracy and reduces administrative tasks.

Secure payment gateway integration maintains HIPAA compliance and provides multiple payment options.

Performance optimization focuses on API response times, WebSocket management, and resource monitoring.

Bask Health’s comprehensive approach balances security, scalability, and performance for reliable telehealth API solutions.

Core Components of Telehealth API Architecture

Bask Health knows that building a resilient telehealth API needs a good look at its core architectural parts. Our work shows that a sound telehealth business framework includes essential resources, activities, and value creation that shape product success.

RESTful API Design Patterns

Our telehealth API architecture begins with FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards. FHIR has become healthcare's top interoperability standard and brings standardized RESTful API specifications. This helps us connect smoothly with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and practice management solutions.

Our RESTful APIs come with these security and compliance features:

End-to-end encryption protocols

Resilient authentication mechanisms

Standardized error handling

Clear API documentation and versioning

WebRTC Integration for Video Calls

WebRTC is a key technology in our telehealth infrastructure that enables secure peer-to-peer communication through web browsers. We use core WebRTC components like getUserMedia to access device media, RTCPeerConnection for media exchange, and RTCDataChannel to share data.

This setup delivers:

High-quality video that doesn't strain internet connections

DTLS-SRTP protocol for end-to-end encryption

STUN/TURN protocols for NAT traversal

Live quality checks through RTCP

Event-Driven Architecture Implementation

Our event-driven architecture (EDA) changes how information moves between applications, microservices, and connected devices. This design gives us live data distribution, which matters most in healthcare scenarios.

EDA brings these benefits:

Asynchronous communication between decoupled applications

Live event processing through event brokers

Better scaling without affecting existing services

Smart handling of burst management

We use AsyncAPI specifications, like in OpenAPI for REST, to describe event-driven APIs clearly. Developers can easily find channels to publish and consume events, with clear schema definitions for payloads.

Our system uses specialized microservices for different workflows. These include video calls through instant messaging protocols and identity authorization through SSO services. The system works well with third-party software like EHR systems to provide complete healthcare delivery.

Cloud-based services help us maintain HIPAA compliance while storing protected health information. This setup allows smooth data exchange between various parts while keeping sensitive medical information secure and private.

This architecture has improved healthcare providers' efficiency significantly. Our platform makes data exchange between different systems secure, cuts down manual data entry errors, and removes the need for duplicate entries.

Building HIPAA-Compliant Security Layer

Security stands at the vanguard of our telehealth API development at Bask Health. Healthcare companies experienced 599 breaches with over 24.1 million exposed records in 2020. This makes HIPAA-compliant security measures crucial for our operations.

End-to-End Encryption Implementation

We use a dual-level hybrid encryption approach that combines Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) to protect patient data. This complete system will give:

Data confidentiality during transmission through Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) for video sessions

Protected storage of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI)

Our methodology lets each user keep both public and private keys to store and transmit medical data. Doctors create medical records that patients encrypt before storage in IPFS. The system then saves the IPFS hash value on the Ethereum blockchain.

Access Control and Authentication Patterns

Bask Health uses a zero-trust architecture to verify identity strictly at every access point. The multi-factor authentication (MFA) system combines:

Knowledge elements (passwords, PINs)

Physical devices (security tokens, mobile devices)

Unique identifiers (fingerprints, facial recognition)

Location checks

MFA stops 99.9% of unauthorized access attempts. The role-based access control system creates role-specific templates. This ensures team members see only the patient information they need for their work.

We track data use and disclosure through audit logs on a per-user basis to boost security. This helps detect breaches early and maintains minimum necessary standards. Smart contracts, defined as protocol chain codes, control EHR access based on patient-focused authorization.

The Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with technology vendors helps us meet HIPAA standards. Vendors must follow HIPAA regulations, deepening their commitment to secure PHI exchange.

Our security framework features specialized components:

Virtual private clouds (VPCs) and web application firewalls (WAFs)

OAuth 2.0 and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) for API authentication

Regular risk assessments to find vulnerabilities

Data minimization principles

Organizations using third-party applications with EHRs benefit from our strict API authentication protocols. Care teams get optimized identity verification that reduces delays from technical barriers.

Scalable Infrastructure Design

Creating a lasting telehealth program needs a well-planned flexible infrastructure. Our cloud-based infrastructure at Bask Health serves as the backbone that delivers continuous virtual care services. Healthcare providers can adapt quickly to handle more patients.

Load Balancing Strategies

The load-balancing architecture spreads network traffic across multiple servers to prevent server overload. This setup helps us implement:

Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) smartly routes traffic across physical data centers, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments

Health monitoring systems redirect traffic automatically when servers stop responding

Predictive autoscaling tracks how much capacity we use and predicts future needs

Our load balancers work as Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) and provide content caching, data compression, and Layer 7 switching features. This design will give optimal performance as patient numbers change.

Database Sharding Techniques

Healthcare systems generate approximately 30% of the world's data volume. Smart database management is vital. We split large datasets into smaller pieces called shards and stored them on different database servers.

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This method offers several benefits:

Improved Response Time: Smaller data shards help retrieve information and run queries faster

Enhanced Availability: Spreading database parts across computers prevents complete service outages

Efficient Scaling: New shards can be added while systems keep running

We use multiple sharding methods to distribute data effectively:

Key-based sharding for predictable data distribution

Range-based sharding to handle sequential data efficiently

Directory-based sharding for flexible data mapping

Caching Implementation

Our caching strategy stores frequently used data temporarily to speed up responses and boost system performance. The setup includes:

Server-side caching for dynamic content that multiple users share

Client-side caching to improve user experience

Hybrid approaches that combine both methods

We use specialized techniques for the best cache management:

Write-through caching keeps cache and database consistent

Cache-aside (lazy loading) works best for read-heavy workloads

Time-to-live (TTL) settings prevent old data from staying too long

These implementations boost our platform's performance significantly. The caching system cuts down API call delays, reduces server load, and provides backup options when networks fail. This complete approach to infrastructure design helps our telehealth API handle growing healthcare demands efficiently.

API Integration Best Practices

Telehealth solutions need careful API integration that meets healthcare standards. Bask Health makes integration simple to boost provider efficiency without adding complexity.

EHR System Integration Methods

A successful EHR integration needs proper data mapping and interface development. We build reliable communication channels between telehealth tools and EHR systems. Our interfaces deliver:

Data Mapping Precision: The system maps patient demographics, medical history, and treatment plans accurately to EHR fields

Authentication Protocols: Multi-factor authentication and OAuth protocols protect patient information access

Error Management: Quick alerts about data mismatches, missing information, and connectivity help resolve issues fast

Our experience shows that EHR integration makes administrative tasks easier, reduces paperwork, and cuts down data entry errors. Medical staff can spend more time with patients instead of doing administrative work.

The best integration results come from clear goals and good communication between development teams, telehealth vendors, and stakeholders. Team meetings help line up desired outcomes and keep everyone updated on progress.

Payment Gateway Implementation

Our payment gateway puts HIPAA compliance and transaction security first. Medical transactions stay protected through specialized security tools in merchant accounts. The key features are:

Transaction Security Measures:

IP address filtering

Customizable payment modes

Transaction criteria validation

HIPAA-compliant payment processing follows strict rules:

No health information storage on bills or receipts

PCI DSS compliance maintenance

No electronic storage of sensitive data

Payment data stays safe with encryption technology (P2P, vP2PE). Users get multiple payment options with:

Recurring billing capabilities

Electronic invoicing

Mobile connectivity

Easy-to-use reporting dashboards

Payment processor selection depends on rates, fees, and security features. The integration works with:

Credit card processing with encrypted vaults

Direct payment solutions

FSA/HSA card compatibility

Large medical practices benefit from complete billing system integration that offers:

Automated billing process APIs

Strong security procedures

Uninterrupted data exchange between systems

3D Secure (3DS) protocol adds extra authentication for card-not-present transactions. This helps:

Stop payment fraud

Cut down unauthorized transactions

Reduce chargebacks

SSL implementation encrypts all outgoing communications end-to-end. Card on File (CoF) tokenization stores payment tokens instead of actual card numbers for repeat transactions.

These integration methods let healthcare providers focus on patient care while keeping operations secure and efficient. Solutions adapt to each organization's needs, from standalone payment systems to existing billing infrastructure integration.

Performance Optimization Techniques

Performance optimization plays a vital role in delivering uninterrupted telehealth experiences. Bask Health's monitoring shows that API response time and smart resource management directly affect virtual care quality.

API Response Time Optimization

Our tests found that dynamic resource provisioning on web tiers with medium-type instances works better than static allocation using larger instances. We focus our optimization strategy on:

Better hardware to cut server processing time

Content Delivery Networks to reduce network delays

Data compression to optimize payload size

We use caching mechanisms that store frequent data to cut database query times significantly. This method helps manage multiple user sessions without slowing down response speeds.

WebSocket Connection Management

WebSocket technology powers our immediate communication system. Tests show these connections can handle 25 connections per second with delays under one second. The system runs at its best when we:

Send binary data instead of text to boost efficiency

Compress messages to shrink data size

Batch messages strategically to reduce overhead

Heartbeat messages help track connection health to keep active connections stable. Our WebSocket system includes automatic reconnection and smooth connection handling protocols.

Resource Usage Monitoring

Smart resource tracking helps maintain the best telehealth service quality. Our detailed monitoring system tracks several key performance indicators (KPIs):

System Performance

Response times

Problem resolution rates

Consultation durations

Infrastructure Health

Server processing capacity

Network bandwidth use

Storage resource allocation

Our data warehouse analyzes patient data immediately while following HIPAA rules. This system supports:

Data analysis between institutions

Clinical trial design support

Care protocol development

Practice guideline creation

Special indicators track different aspects of service quality. These measurements show progress clearly, track outcomes, and compare performance over time.

Cloud systems give us central access points with internet connectivity. Healthcare providers can monitor from anywhere. They can focus on patient trends rather than managing data logistics.

Our proactive monitoring systems spot and fix issues before they affect services. The platform tracks vital signs and clinical indicators. Healthcare providers get alerts when measurements move away from normal ranges.

Conclusion

Building resilient telehealth APIs requires careful focus on several key aspects. At Bask Health, we take a comprehensive approach to address everything while ensuring HIPAA compliance and peak performance.

We've built our architecture on RESTful API patterns, WebRTC integration, and event-driven systems. These are the foundations of our telehealth solutions. Security is our top priority. We use end-to-end encryption, strict access controls, and complete authentication patterns to protect sensitive healthcare data.

Our flexible infrastructure supports the healthcare sector's growing needs through load balancing, database sharding, and strategic caching. It also smoothly integrates with EHR systems and payment gateways to give healthcare providers a continuous connection.

Performance is the life-blood of what we do. We focus intensely on API response times, WebSocket management, and resource usage monitoring. These components work together to deliver reliable and efficient telehealth services that providers trust.

The healthcare API market will continue to grow toward $3.93 billion by 2027. We stay committed to developing secure and flexible solutions that advance virtual care delivery while maintaining the highest standards of data protection and system performance.

References

Solace. What is event-driven architecture? Solace Blog. https://solace.com/what-is-event-driven-architecture/. Accessed February 13, 2025.

Telehealth.HHS.gov. HIPAA for telehealth technology: Ensuring compliance and patient privacy. HHS Telehealth Policy. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/hipaa-for-telehealth-technology. Accessed February 13, 2025.

Simbo.ai. The role of end-to-end encryption and data security in safeguarding patient information during telehealth sessions. Simbo.ai Blog. https://www.simbo.ai/blog/the-role-of-end-to-end-encryption-and-data-security-in-safeguarding-patient-information-during-telehealth-sessions-2040379/. Accessed February 13, 2025.

TechMagic. Secure payment processing solutions for telehealth. TechMagic Blog. https://www.techmagic.co/blog/secure-payment-processing-solutions-for-telehealth. Accessed February 13, 2025.

ResearchGate. On providing response time guarantees to a cloud-hosted telemedicine web service. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283635381_On_Providing_Response_Time_Guarantees_to_a_Cloud-Hosted_Telemedicine_Web_Service. Accessed February 13, 2025.

Prismic.io. API response times: Best practices and optimization. Prismic Blog. https://prismic.io/blog/api-response-times. Accessed February 13, 2025.

Coviu. Coviu API documentation: Telehealth integration solutions. Coviu API. https://www.coviu.com/en-us/api. Accessed February 13, 2025.