Internet behemoth Google recently announced its cloud platform will now be HIPAA-friendly and will support business associate agreements going forward.
Google started inking business associate agreements back in 2013 when the HIPAA Final Omnibus Rule went into effect, making BAs accountable for violating certain HIPAA privacy and security rules.
This February, the company went one step further.
This February, the company went one step further.
"To serve developers who want to build these applications on Google's infrastructure, we're announcing support for business associates agreements for our customers," wrote Google Cloud Platform Product Manager Matthew O'Connor, in a Feb. 5 company post. "We’re looking forward to supporting customers who are subject to HIPAA regulations on Google Cloud Platform."
The HIPAA final omnibus rule took effect September 2013, and it made BAs directly liable for violations of HIPAA rules. The rule also expanded the definition of a BA to include health information organizations, e-prescribing gateways, PHR providers, patient safety organizations and subcontractors with access to protected health information. Moreover, subcontractors are now defined as business associates. For original post see here
