Health Information Management

What are "data aggregation" activities that a business associate may provide?

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, August 8, 2005

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

Data aggregation is where a business associate, in its capacity as the business associate of one covered entity, combines the PHI of such covered entity with PHI received by the business associate in its capacity as a business associate of another covered entity, to permit the creation of data for analyses that relate to the healthcare operations of the respective covered entities.

The HHS commentary gives the example of a state hospital association acting as a business associate of its member hospitals and combining data provided to it to assist the hospitals in evaluating their relative performance in areas such as quality, efficiency, and other patient-care issues.

The rules would not allow, however, the information of one covered entity to be shared with another covered entity.

Go to the Section 164.501 Definitions: Data Aggregration and Section 160.103 Definitions: Business Associate of the Bricker & Eckler Web site for more information.

Editor's note: Attorneys from Bricker & Eckler, LLP, answered this question. This is not legal advice. Consult with your attorney for legal matters.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles