The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy of patient health information. Under HIPAA, covered entities – which include healthcare providers, health plans, and clearinghouses – must take steps to safeguard the confidentiality of patient health information. In addition, covered entities must provide patients with access to their own health information upon request. Finally, covered entities must also contact patients if their health information has been breached. By following these rules, HIPAA helps to ensure that patient health information is protected from unauthorized access.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy of patient health information. Under HIPAA, covered entities – which include healthcare providers, health plans, and clearinghouses – must take steps to safeguard the confidentiality of patient health information. In addition, covered entities must provide patients with access to their own health information upon request. Finally, covered entities must also contact patients if their health information has been breached. By following these rules, HIPAA helps to ensure that patient health information is protected from unaut horized access.