Which of the following is an example of a business associate?

A contract coder is an example of a business associate because they handle protected health information (PHI) on behalf of a healthcare provider. Business associates are individuals or entities that perform certain functions or activities on behalf of a covered entity that involves the use or disclosure of PHI. In this case, a contract coder typically accesses and processes health data to code diagnoses and procedures for insurance claims or other reporting purposes.

Understanding the role of a contract coder highlights their responsibility to comply with regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which establishes safeguards to protect patients' health information. Their work requires them to understand how to securely handle this data while ensuring that patient confidentiality is maintained.

In contrast, the other options represent individuals or entities that either are not classified as business associates or do not primarily engage in handling PHI in the same context. For instance, the environmental services department focuses on maintaining cleanliness and sanitation within healthcare facilities, which, while crucial for patient care, does not involve managing PHI directly. A hospital security officer primarily ensures safety and security within the hospital environment rather than managing health data, and an employee with access to e-PHI may work within a covered entity but might not necessarily perform functions that make them a business associate without a