Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Health Information Privacy
  HIPAA for Individuals
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Filing a Complaint
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HIPAA for Professionals
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Newsroom

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              HIPAA Home
                              For Professionals
                              FAQ
                              538-Does HIPAA require a covered entity to police na HIO


    

    

    Navigate to:
  Authorizations (30)
          Business Associates (41)
          Compliance Dates (2)
          Covered Entities (14)
          Decedents (9)
          Disclosures for Law Enforcement Purposes (5)
          Disclosures for Rule Enforcement (1)
          Disclosures in Emergency Situations (2)
          Disclosures Required by Law (6)
          Disclosures to Family and Friends (28)
          Disposal of Protected Health Information (6)
          Facility Directories (7)
          Family Medical History Information (3)
          FERPA and HIPAA (10)
          Group Health Plans (3)
          Incidental Uses and Disclosures (10)
          Judicial and Administrative Proceedings (8)
          Minimum Necessary (14)
          Notice of Privacy Practice (20)
          Preemption of State Law (10)
          Privacy Rule: General Topics (12)
          Protected Health Information (2)
          Public Health Uses and Disclosures (13)
          Research Uses and Disclosures (20)
          Right to an Accounting of Disclosures (8)
          Right to File a Complaint (1)
          Right to Request a Restriction (4)
          Safeguards (13)
          Security Rule (24)
          Smaller Providers and Businesses (145)
          Student Immunizations (8)
          Transition Provisions (3)
          Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations Disclosures (30)
          Workers Compensation Disclosures (5)
          Limited Data Set (6)
          Marketing (17)
          Marketing - Refill Reminders (16)
          Personal Representatives and Minors (12)
          Right to Access and Research (58)
          Mental Health (35)
          Health Information Technology (41)
          Telehealth (11)Text resize icon

                    




Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule require a covered entity to “police” a health information organization (HIO), which functions as its business associate?








  
  
    

  
      





No. As with other business associates, the Privacy Rule would require that a covered entity enter into a relationship with a HIO in a way which anticipates and reasonably safeguards against the potential for inappropriate uses and disclosures, specifically through the use of a business associate agreement. The Privacy Rule also would require the covered entity to respond appropriately to complaints and evidence of violations, but it would not otherwise require the covered entity to actively monitor or oversee the extent to which a HIO, acting as its business associate, abides by the privacy provisions of the agreement, or the means by which the HIO carries out its privacy safeguard obligations. See 45 C.F.R. §§ 164.502(e), 164.504(e).

Created 12/15/08

                    
  


Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Content last reviewed July 26, 2013Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​