What is a business associate under HIPAA?

A business associate under HIPAA is defined as a person or entity that performs functions or activities on behalf of, or provides certain services to, a covered entity that involves the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI). This includes various roles such as billing companies, IT service providers, and data storage providers that need access to PHI to perform their designated tasks.

The role of a business associate is crucial in maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations, as these associates must adhere to the same privacy and security standards as covered entities in order to protect the confidentiality of PHI. They are required to enter into a business associate agreement (BAA) that outlines their responsibilities regarding PHI and ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place.

The other options do not fit the definition of a business associate. A patient receiving services pertains to individuals receiving care rather than entities handling health information. A regulatory body overseeing health information refers to organizations that enforce or create regulations, which is different from the definition of a business associate. Lastly, while employees at a healthcare facility may handle PHI, they are considered part of the covered entity and not business associates in the context outlined under HIPAA.