Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a typical Business Associate under HIPAA?

1. Internal healthcare staff

2. Biometric device repairmen

3. Patients themselves

4. Third-party health insurance providers

The correct answer is: Biometric device repairmen

A typical Business Associate under HIPAA is an individual or entity that performs services on behalf of a covered entity that involves the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI). In this context, the correct answer includes individuals or entities that are not part of the covered entity's workforce but are engaged in activities that require access to PHI. When considering the options, third-party health insurance providers function as Business Associates because they handle health information as part of their operations. They require access to PHI for purposes such as claims processing or benefits administration, which aligns with the definition of a Business Associate under HIPAA. On the other hand, internal healthcare staff are considered part of the covered entity's operations and do not constitute external Business Associates. Patients themselves also do not fit this definition as they are the subjects of the PHI rather than processors or handlers of it. The repairmen of biometric devices may not necessarily qualify as there may not be a direct business relationship or involvement with PHI unless their services explicitly require handling such information. Therefore, the answer regarding third-party health insurance providers being a typical Business Associate is aligned with the role they play in potentially accessing and managing protected health information.