The United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law enacted in 1996 that governs the handling and safeguarding of protected health information (PHI) by healthcare entities and their business associates. HIPAA was designed to address the increasing concerns regarding the privacy and security of personal health information in the healthcare industry.
Under HIPAA, covered entities such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses must comply with certain standards to protect PHI. These standards include implementing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the privacy and security of PHI. Covered entities are also required to provide individuals with certain rights regarding their health information, such as the right to access and amend their records.
Additionally, HIPAA established rules for the electronic transmission of health information, known as the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. These rules outline the minimum requirements for protecting PHI and preventing unauthorized access or disclosure. Covered entities must also implement safeguards for securely transmitting and storing electronic health information.
HIPAA also introduced the concept of the Breach Notification Rule, which requires covered entities to notify affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services, and sometimes the media, in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI.
Overall, the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act aims to improve the portability of health insurance coverage, enhance the privacy and security of health information, and promote efficient healthcare system administration.
