What uses and disclosures of PHI are explicitly prohibited for the Business Associate of Degree Wellness?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Business Associate shall not use or disclose PHI for fundraising or marketing purposes.
In accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 164.522(a)(1)(B)(6), Business Associate shall not disclose PHI to a health plan for payment or Health Care Operations purposes if a patient has requested this special restriction, and has paid out of pocket in full for the healthcare item or service to which the PHI solely relates.
Business Associate shall not sell PHI as provided in 45 C.F.R. § 164.502.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 66–257)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, as a Business Associate, there are explicit prohibitions regarding the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). Degree Wellness's Business Associate is prohibited from using or disclosing PHI for fundraising or marketing purposes.
Additionally, the Business Associate cannot disclose PHI to a health plan for payment or Healthcare Operations if a patient has requested this special restriction and has paid out-of-pocket in full for the healthcare item or service to which the PHI solely relates. This is in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 164.522(a)(1)(B)(6).
Furthermore, the Business Associate is prohibited from selling PHI, as outlined in 45 C.F.R. § 164.502. These restrictions are put in place to protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA regulations. A Degree Wellness franchisee must ensure strict adherence to these prohibitions to avoid potential legal and financial repercussions.