Business Associate should be aware that the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the federal stimulus package, requires all business associates to adhere to the use and disclosure provisions of the Privacy Rule, complete Security Rule by statute and the terms and conditions of Business associate contracts (BAC)  signed with the covered entity effective February 17, 2011. Typical business associates includes medical billing, medical transcription, EMR solution provider, information technology vendors & many more. Many BAs are not compliant with HIPAA and HITECH as required by statute and BACs. This can result in contract termination, civil penalties or monetary settlements and law suits. As of February 17, 2011, all business associates will become subject to criminal and civil liability for not complying with HIPAA. Penalties for Business Associates for violations of HIPAA can be as high as $1.5 Million per year, and can include prison time for the most serious criminal offenses.

For companies who are business associates of covered entities, it is recommended that you take advantage of our HIPAA Compliance Software. This tool will help you to create required privacy and security policies and procedures, conduct a risk analysis, create your disaster recovery plan and emergency mode operations (business continuity) plan and establish your HIPAA audit program . We also recommend our HIPAA Compliance Manual.  The manual will help you understand HIPAA/HITECH requirements and understand why you need to comply with HIPAA and HITECH.  The manual also includes information about compliance requirements for business associates.

If you are in search of HIPAA experts to provide on-site compliance assistance, feel free to ask for a no obligation proposal to assist your company meet the HIPAA and HITECH compliance requirements. This will assist you and your staff spend more time concentrating on  business activities and less time worrying about compliance.

Call Bob Mehta at Supremus Group today on (515) 865-4591 or email at Bob@HIPAAcertification.net