What is a Business Associate Subcontractor?

What is a Business Associate Subcontractor?

When it comes to the world of HIPAA, there are a lot of terms and phrases that can be confusing for those who are not familiar with them. One such term is "business associate subcontractor." So, what is a business associate subcontractor? It’s actually exactly what it sounds like: a company or individual contracted by a business associate to provide services related to the operation of the business. Typically, this includes support functions such as accounting, human resources, marketing, medical devices, and information technology.

In some cases, a subcontractor may also provide services related to the product or service offered by the business. Read on to learn more about how to find and work with a good business associate subcontractor.

What is a Business Associate Subcontractor? 

• If you are in the business world, you have likely heard of subcontractors. But more specifically, what is a business associate subcontractor? In short, a business associate subcontractor is an entity that provides services or performs functions on behalf of a business associate that involves the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI). Business associate subcontractors are required to comply with the same privacy and security requirements as the business associate they are providing services for.
• Just as they have done previously with covered entities, business associates must enter into a written contract with the business associate subcontractor, called a business associate agreement (BAA). In this they agree to comply with the applicable HIPAA privacy and security requirements. Business associates are directly liable for compliance with certain provisions of the Privacy Rule and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties for violating HIPAA.
• Under the HITECH Act, business associate subcontractors must notify the business associate of any breaches of unsecured protected health information. Business Associates must then take appropriate steps to mitigate any harmful effects of the breach and notify individuals whose information was involved in the breach, if necessary. 

Examples of Business Associate Subcontractors

There are many different types of business associate subcontractors. Here are five examples:

1. Accounting and Bookkeeping Services 

These services are usually provided by an outside contractor or firm that specializes in financial record keeping and management. The main benefit of using a business associate subcontractor for these services is that it can free up time for businesses to focus on other aspects of their operations.

2. Marketing and Advertising Services 

These services can also be outsourced to specialized agencies or contractors. The main advantage of doing this is that businesses can save on costs associated with marketing and advertising campaigns.

3. Information Technology (IT) Services 

IT services cover a wide range of activities, from website development and maintenance to network security and data backup. Contracting out these services can help businesses save money and ensure that professionals manage their IT infrastructure.

4. Human Resources (HR) Services 

HR services encompass various activities, from recruiting and training employees to managing payroll and benefits. Businesses can save time and money by outsourcing these services to specialized firms or contractors.

5. Shipping and Logistics Services 

Shipping and logistics services involve the coordination of transportation and storage of goods. Businesses can save money by contracting out these services to firms that specialize in this area.

Business Associate Subcontractor Agreements

When you engage a business associate subcontractor to perform services on your behalf, you must have a written agreement that establishes the arrangement's terms and conditions. The agreement must spell out the nature and scope of the work to be performed and the protections that will be in place to safeguard patient information.

There are many different types of business associate agreements, but all must contain certain basic elements. Here are five of the most important:

1. Scope of Services: 

The agreement should clearly define the services to be performed by the business associate subcontractor. This will help prevent any misunderstandings about the scope of the work to be done and avoid any potential HIPAA violation.

2. Responsibility for Safeguarding Protected Health Information: 

The agreement should state that the subcontractor is responsible for safeguarding any protected health information they come into contact with. This includes ensuring that all PHI is properly encrypted and stored in a secure location.

3. Reporting of Security Incidents: 

The agreement should require the business associate subcontractor to report any security incidents that occur to the covered entity. This helps ensure that the business associate is aware of potential risks and can take steps to mitigate them. In this relationship, the business associate also shares liability so they should also notify the subcontractor if a security incident occurs on their end. 

4. Return or Destruction of Protected Health Information: 

The agreement should require the business associate to return or destroy all PHI once the services have been completed. This helps ensure that the business associate does not have any unnecessary PHI in its possession.

5. Compliance with HIPAA: 

The agreement should require the subcontractor to comply with all applicable HIPAA regulations. This helps ensure that the business associate is protected from any potential liability in the event of a HIPAA violation.

These are just some of the key elements that should be included in a business associate agreement. 

Bottom line

When entering into a business relationship with a subcontractor, it is important to have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each party. This can help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings down the road. Additionally, executing a Business Associate Subcontractor Agreement is often a good idea.  

Here at Accountable, we offer various services to help companies comply with HIPAA, including training, vendor management, and software. We are here to help you protect your client's data and keep your business compliant with the law. Visit our website at (https://www.accountablehq.com) to learn more about our services, or contact us today to get started.