Why Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) Matter for Mobile Communication

As more healthcare professionals rely on mobile devices for day-to-day communication, the question of HIPAA compliance has become more urgent. Whether you're texting patients, coordinating care teams, or receiving voicemails on the go, a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) plays a central role in making that mobile communication legally compliant.

What Is a BAA?

A Business Associate Agreement is a legally binding contract required under HIPAA. It outlines how a third-party service provider, known as a business associate, will protect and manage protected health information (PHI) on behalf of a covered entity, such as a healthcare provider.

If you’re using a messaging or voice platform that processes PHI, you’re legally required to have a signed BAA with that service, even if the platform itself is encrypted.

Why It Matters for Mobile Texting & Calling

Mobile communication introduces risk: devices can be lost, messages may sync with unsecured backups, and data can easily cross from personal to business spaces. That’s why HIPAA doesn’t just mandate technical safeguards like encryption, it also demands contractual accountability.

Without a BAA, even a secure app can put you out of compliance.

More importantly, the BAA establishes that your provider understands and agrees to uphold HIPAA’s standards. This includes breach reporting obligations, access controls, and proper data handling procedures.

What to Look for in a Mobile Communication Provider

Any mobile texting or calling platform that handles PHI must not only support encryption and admin controls, but it must also offer a signed BAA. If they don’t, they’re not suitable for HIPAA-regulated use, no matter how secure they claim to be.

Platforms like iPlum offer HIPAA-compliant texting, calling, and voicemail services, and provide a signed BAA as part of the onboarding process.

In short: If you’re texting or calling about patient care, and your platform doesn’t offer a BAA, you’re taking a legal risk. In 2025, compliance means more than just encryption—it means partnerships backed by accountability.

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