What is the Healthsource Chiropractic Business Associate's obligation regarding HIPAA regulations as they pertain to fundraising?

According to Healthsource Chiropractic's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Business Associate, which in this case is Healthsource Chiropractic, must comply with HIPAA and its applicable regulations as they pertain to fundraising. This means that Healthsource Chiropractic must adhere to all the rules and guidelines set forth by HIPAA regarding the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) for fundraising purposes.

This obligation ensures that patient privacy is protected and that PHI is not used inappropriately for fundraising activities. The franchisee, as the Covered Entity, must also ensure that Healthsource Chiropractic, as the Business Associate, adheres to these regulations. This compliance extends to marketing and the sale of PHI as well.

In practical terms, a Healthsource Chiropractic franchisee needs to understand and implement the necessary procedures to ensure that all fundraising activities comply with HIPAA regulations. This may involve obtaining proper authorizations from patients before using their PHI for fundraising, implementing safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access or disclosure, and training staff on HIPAA compliance requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant penalties and damage to the reputation of the franchise.