Can I use 1&1 (IONOS) and be HIPAA compliant?

We got an email today from a system integrator asking about our ability to integrate with 1&1's email hosting service. As an aside, we’ve been seeing more vendors, customers, and prospects asking about HIPAA compliant services.

Here's what we'll be covering in this post:

• 1&1 (IONOS)
• What is a Business Associate?
• Business Associate Agreement provisions
• 1&1 IONOS and the Business Associate Agreement
• Does 1&1 IONOS offer HIPAA Compliant Email Service?

We know the HIPAA industry is vast so we can empathize with just how many people need to use cloud services in this sector. Today, we will determine if 1&1, also known as 1&1 IONOS, offers HIPAA compliant service or not.

1&1 (IONOS)

1&1 is a web hosting company owned by United Internet. The company asserts itself as one of the world's largest web hosting companies. After acquiring Profitbricks in October 2018, the company rebranded itself as 1&1 IONOS.

What is a Business Associate?

A Business Associate is a person or company that performs certain functions or activities that involve the use or disclosure of protected health information for a Covered Entity. In a nutshell, the role of a Business Associate is to help Covered Entities comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Read full article: What does it mean to be a Business Associate?

Business Associate Agreement provisions

If a Business Associate provides services to a Covered Entity, then a Business Associate Agreement must be in place. A Business Associate Agreement is a written contract between a Covered Entity and a Business Associate and is required by law for HIPAA compliance. At a minimum, a Business Associate Agreement contains 10 provisions. Read full article: Business Associate Agreement Provisions

1&1 IONOS and the Business Associate Agreement

We checked the 1&1 IONOS site for mention of their ability to sign a Business Associate Agreement. We quickly found the information we were looking for in a Help Center page:

"HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, sets the standard for sensitive patient data protection. Any company that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all the required physical, network and process security measures are in place and followed. However, customers requiring HIPPA-compliant services should be aware that 1&1 IONOS does not follow HIPPA regulations or provide such qualifying services."

Does 1&1 IONOS offer HIPAA Compliant Service?

• 1&1 IONOS is not in the business of providing HIPAA compliant email or web hosting service

Conclusion: 1&1 IONOS is not a HIPAA compliant email or web hosting service.