Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

What is the purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

What year was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) signed into law?

Purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was signed into law in 1996.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a significant piece of legislation designed to protect individuals' healthcare information and provide them with certain rights regarding their health information. HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information and encourages the use of electronic health records while ensuring the privacy and security of patient data.

Key Components of HIPAA:

1. Privacy Rule: This rule sets the standards for how healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses should protect patients' medical records and other personal health information.

2. Security Rule: The Security Rule establishes national security standards to protect individuals' electronic personal health information that is created, received, used, or maintained by a covered entity.

3. Breach Notification Rule: This rule requires covered entities to notify affected individuals, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and, in some cases, the media of breaches of unsecured protected health information.

4. Enforcement Rule: The Enforcement Rule outlines compliance procedures, investigations, and penalties for violations of HIPAA rules.

By safeguarding confidential health information, HIPAA promotes trust between patients and their healthcare providers, enhances the ability to exchange health information electronically, and protects against health information fraud and abuse.