In terms of HIPAA compliance, what is required from business associates?

Business associates are required to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) as part of their obligations under HIPAA compliance. This agreement is crucial because it outlines the responsibilities and requirements that business associates must adhere to when they handle protected health information (PHI) on behalf of a covered entity, such as a healthcare provider or health plan. The BAA specifies terms regarding the safeguarding of PHI, reporting security incidents, and compliance with HIPAA regulations, ensuring that there is a formal understanding of how patient data will be protected and used. This is a fundamental aspect of establishing a compliant relationship between healthcare entities and their business associates, enabling the proper management of patient information while maintaining necessary confidentiality and security measures.

In this context, while regular training on patient rights, reporting complaints to HHS, and ensuring physical data storage might be important practices, they are not the primary legal requirement specified under HIPAA for business associates. The signing of a BAA is essential for delineating legal responsibilities connected with handling PHI, making it the correct response.