How does a Business Associate's responsibility to protect PHI compare to that of a covered entity?

A Business Associate has the same responsibility to protect Protected Health Information (PHI) as a covered entity because both entities are bound by the Privacy Rule under HIPAA. This means that when a Business Associate is handling PHI on behalf of a covered entity, they are required to implement measures to safeguard that information just as the covered entity must.

This shared responsibility ensures that PHI remains secure, regardless of whether it is being managed by a covered entity or a Business Associate. They both must adhere to the same standards for use, disclosure, and protection of PHI, and any violation of these standards can lead to severe penalties for both parties under HIPAA regulations. This creates a collaborative environment for protecting patient information and reinforces the importance of compliance throughout all parties involved in handling PHI.