HIPAA Blog

12 Key Terms in a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA)

Last week I introduced the essentials of the Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and why it is important. Today I'm focusing on the specifics of what a BAA includes and which terms need to be included in any good BAA. The BAA delineates the responsibilities of the parties signing the document ensuring each party knows their responsibilities and roles in protecting the electronic health records.

What is a BAA and Why is it Required to be HIPAA Compliant?

For those that are hosting Protected Health Information (PHI) and are searching for a HIPAA compliant web host, one of the key components is the Business Associate Agreement or BAA. A BAA is an agreement between two parties where at least one of the two parties is handling PHI or Electronic Health Records (EHR).

The Importance of True HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA compliance is not optional when it comes to hosting private medical files. It is a requirement that can result in a fine and other penalties if violated, even accidentally. Many hosts claim to offer HIPAA compliant hosting, but in fact, may be missing certain features that could result in a breach of data security and/or a violation of HIPAA compliance.

HIPAA Fundamentals

HIPAA is the legislature that was proposed by Senators Kennedy and Kassebaum and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. Title II, a standard of electronic health care transactions This section defines a national standard by which companies that are transacting in Protected Health Information must follow. Protected Health Information or PHI What is... Continue reading