Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance

In the normal course of its work with Candidates for certification and its Diplomates (collectively "Diplomates"), the ABIM does not receive Protected Health Information subject to the HIPAA regulations. However, to provide an extra measure of reassurance to its Diplomates, the Board has adopted a standard form of Business Associate Agreement which it regards as automatically binding between the ABIM and all ABIM Diplomates.

The effect of this Agreement will make the ABIM a Business Associate of the Diplomate in accordance with HIPAA regulations and requires the Board to handle any Protected Health Information in compliance with HIPAA.

All Board applications also make this agreement a part of the contract between the Diplomate or Candidate and the Board. Click here to obtain the text of this Business Associate Agreement (pdf).

While the foregoing is sufficient to create a binding Business Associate Agreement between a Diplomate or Candidate and the Board, any Diplomate who needs an originally signed version may obtain one by printing the agreement (which is signed on behalf of the Board), signing it and storing it in appropriate files.