[cmiles74]

Typically these messages are not encrypted. This is a late 80's spec based on a 70's era EDI spec.

IMHO, when these messages are transmitted outside the hospital typically a VPN used. There is a spec for posting these messages to an web service over HTTPS but I haven't seen it in use.

[ThaDood]

Usually encrypted via a TLS connection right into an HL7 channel/listener. Or the entire connection is encrypted via a VPN connection between healthcare systems.