Based on our research, Sprout Social is not HIPAA compliant because it does not meet the requirements set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to safeguard protected health information (PHI).
What is Sprout Social?
Sprout Social is a cloud-based social media management platform that helps organizations manage publishing, engagement, analytics, and customer care across major social networks.
With Sprout Social, teams can streamline their social communication strategies while gaining insights into audience trends and message performance.
Will Sprout Social sign a business associate agreement (BAA)?
Yes, Sprout Social will sign a business associate agreement, which can be reviewed here.
What does the Sprout Social BAA cover?
Sprout Social offers a tailored BAA to support healthcare organizations with strict internal compliance requirements. However, the company maintains that its platform is not designed for HIPAA compliance and discourages the use of PHI.
They state:
“Unlike other vendors you may be accustomed to working with, Sprout Social is not designed for HIPAA compliance. Consistent with our social network partners, Sprout Social’s Terms of Service prohibit customers from sharing, collecting, transmitting, or storing sensitive information, including protected health information (PHI) through the platform.”
“As such, we have prepared a tailored BAA that is scoped to the nature and limited risk profile of the services we provide. The BAA is leveraged in case there is inadvertent uploading of sensitive information by a social media user that your organization cannot control.”
Their BAA supports:
- Limited handling of PHI in low-risk situations
- Security safeguards such as encryption in transit and at rest
- Risk mitigation tools and disclaimers
- Response protocols for inadvertent PHI exposure
- Scoped protection for PHI in rare, uncontrolled circumstances
Is Sprout Social HIPAA compliant?
Sprout Social is not HIPAA compliant. Although it offers a limited BAA, the platform prohibits the processing of PHI and is not designed to support HIPAA compliance.
The HIPAA compliant solution: Paubox
Paubox has developed a HIPAA compliant email and texting solution that makes it easier for providers to connect with their patients. It eliminates the need for third-party apps or logins, allowing patients to receive secure, encrypted texts and emails directly on their phones.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQS
What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for protecting the privacy and security of certain health information, known as protected health information (PHI).
HIPAA is designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information and to ensure that healthcare providers and insurers can securely exchange electronic health information. Violations of HIPAA can result in significant fines and penalties for covered entities.
Who does HIPAA apply to?
HIPAA applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It also applies to business associates of these covered entities. These are entities that perform certain functions or activities on behalf of the covered entity.
What is a business associate agreement?
A business associate agreement (BAA) is a legally binding contract establishing a relationship between a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its business associates. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure the proper protection of personal health information (PHI) as required by HIPAA regulations.
