As an emergency responder, you're engaging with patients during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Your job is to comfort, treat, and transport while protecting yourself and those around you. The first question typically asked by emergency responders is this: "Am I required to be HIPAA compliant?" Most of the time, the answer is "yes." Any health care providers that charge for services, including EMS agencies, fire departments, or rescue squads, are considered covered entities under HIPAA.
