Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
What is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US law that sets standards for the protection of personal health information (PHI). It applies to "covered entities," which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA aims to ensure the privacy and security of PHI by setting rules for how it can be used, disclosed, and transmitted.
HIPAA has several key components, including the Privacy Rule, which regulates the use and disclosure of PHI by covered entities, and the Security Rule, which sets standards for the protection of electronic PHI (ePHI). The HIPAA Enforcement Rule also allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate and take action against covered entities that violate HIPAA regulations.
HIPAA is important because it helps to protect the privacy of individuals' health information. It is especially important in today's digital age, where electronic health records and other forms of ePHI are increasingly common. By setting standards for the use and protection of this information, HIPAA helps to ensure that it is not misused or disclosed without the individual's consent.
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