Certify Sign HIPAA Business Associate Agreement For Free

HIPAA requires that you get a BAA from every business that could have access to your clients' PHI. For example, you might employ an accountant who has access to your clients' names, account numbers, services rendered, etc. HIPAA requires them to sign a BAA agreeing to protect all of that PHI.

HHS' Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing the Privacy and Security Rules. Enforcement of the Privacy Rule began April 14, 2003 for most HIPAA covered entities. Since 2003, OCR's enforcement activities have obtained significant results that have improved the privacy practices of covered entities.

What Is a ?Business Associate?? A ?business associate? is a person or entity that performs certain functions or activities that involve the use or disclosure of protected health information on behalf of, or provides services to, a covered entity. A member of the covered entity's workforce is not a business associate.

At its most basic, BAA's must contain these provisions: Determine what PHI the Business Associate will access. Require that the Business Associate will use appropriate safeguards to secure PHI. Provide that the BA will not disclose protected health information save when permitted by the agreement.

In addition to these contractual obligations, business associates are directly liable for compliance with certain provisions of the HIPAA Rules. If an entity does not meet the definition of a covered entity or business associate, it does not have to comply with the HIPAA Rules.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires all Covered Entities to have a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with any Business Associate (BA) they hire that may come in contact with PHI. The HIPAA Omnibus Rule changed how BAs and Business Associate Subcontractors (BAS) can be held liable for potential HIPAA violations.

Business associate services are: legal; actuarial; accounting; consulting; data aggregation; management; administrative; accreditation; and financial. See the definition of ?business associate? at 45 CFR 160.103. Examples of Business Associates.