Business Associate Agreement
Required for all therapists and practices using CouchLoop with Protected Health Information (PHI)
What Is a Business Associate Agreement?
A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is a legally required contract under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) between a covered entity — such as a licensed therapist or mental health practice — and a business associate that handles Protected Health Information (PHI) on their behalf.
When you use CouchLoop to store session notes, client records, or any other information that could identify a patient, Couchloop, LLC acts as your Business Associate. Federal law requires a signed BAA to be in place before any PHI is entered into the platform.
Who Needs a BAA?
You need to execute a BAA with Couchloop, LLC if you are:
- A licensed therapist, psychologist, counselor, or social worker using the platform for client care
- A mental health practice or group practice onboarding therapists to the platform
- Any covered entity under HIPAA who stores or transmits PHI via CouchLoop
You do not need a BAA if you are a client accessing your own records or using the CouchLoop Chat app solely for personal use.
What the CouchLoop BAA Covers
The Couchloop, LLC BAA establishes our obligations as your Business Associate, including:
- Safeguarding PHI using industry-standard administrative, physical, and technical controls
- Using PHI only to provide CouchLoop services and not for any other purpose
- Notifying you of any breach of unsecured PHI within 60 calendar days of discovery
- Ensuring any subcontractors who handle PHI on our behalf are also bound by equivalent obligations
- Returning or destroying PHI upon termination of the agreement at your request
- Making our practices available for HHS audit as required by law
How to Request & Execute a BAA
To initiate a BAA with Couchloop, LLC, email us at the address below. Include your name, practice name (if applicable), state of licensure, and confirmation that you are a licensed mental health professional. We will send you a BAA document for review and signature within 3 business days.
Important Notice
Do not enter any patient names, session notes, diagnoses, or other Protected Health Information into CouchLoop until your BAA has been executed. The BAA must be in place before PHI is entered, not after.
Business Associate Identity
Legal Entity: Couchloop, LLC
Registered Address: 1111b South Governors Ave STE 37434, Dover, DE 19904
BAA Contact: legal@couchloop.com
See also: Privacy Policy · Terms of Service