Which professional is likely considered a Business Associate under HIPAA?

Under HIPAA, a Business Associate is an entity or individual that performs certain functions or activities on behalf of a covered entity that involves the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI). An IT technician would typically be considered a Business Associate because they often handle the technical aspects of health information systems, manage data storage and security, or provide support for electronic health records, all of which can involve access to PHI.

This relationship exists because the IT technician may be engaged directly in the management of health information technology or be responsible for ensuring that systems comply with HIPAA regulations regarding data privacy and security. Since the technician works with PHI in the course of their job duties, they fall under the Business Associate category and would typically be required to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.

In contrast, patients are the subjects of health information and are not considered Business Associates. Healthcare providers, while they may also handle PHI, are typically classified as covered entities unless they are contracting out specific services that involve PHI. Medical researchers might access PHI but their status as Business Associates would depend on their specific activities and relationships with covered entities.