Amazon OpenSearch Service (formerly known as AWS Elasticsearch) is a managed search and analytics service that enables organizations to ingest, search, and analyze large volumes of data in real time.
With Amazon OpenSearch Service, companies can build scalable search applications, monitor logs, and gain insights from structured and unstructured data.
Is Amazon OpenSearch Service HIPAA compliant? Yes, OpenSearch Service can be HIPAA compliant, when using HIPAA-elligable versions of their services.
As of January 2026, our review did not identify any publicly disclosed changes to Amazon OpenSearch Service’s HIPAA‑related policies or BAA terms.
Yes, AWS will sign a business associate agreement, which can be reviewed here.
The AWS BAA covers the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) within HIPAA‑eligible services, including Amazon OpenSearch Service. According to AWS, “AWS enables covered entities and their business associates subject to HIPAA to use the secure AWS environment to process, maintain, and store protected health information.”
Their BAA covers:
The AWS BAA does not automatically cover all AWS services. Only HIPAA‑eligible services are included. For OpenSearch Service, compliance requires:
Amazon OpenSearch Service signs a BAA and is therefore HIPAA compliant.
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.
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.
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.