What type of agreements does HITECH require relating to business associates?

The correct answer is business associate agreements because the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act mandates that covered entities must have specific agreements in place with their business associates. These agreements ensure that business associates understand their responsibilities regarding protected health information (PHI) and comply with the HIPAA privacy and security rules.

Business associate agreements are legally binding documents that dictate how business associates will handle PHI on behalf of the covered entity. They typically include provisions for data security, breach notification, and the appropriate permissible uses and disclosures of PHI. Under HITECH, these agreements are crucial in establishing accountability and protecting patient information, especially as electronic health records and health information exchange have become more prevalent.

In contrast, the other answer choices do not pertain directly to the requirements set forth by HITECH regarding the relationship between covered entities and their business associates. Partnership agreements, consultation agreements, and vendor contracts might be relevant in other contexts, but they do not address the specific regulatory requirements concerning the handling and protection of health information as defined by HITECH.