The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a United States federal law enacted in 1996 designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ medical information.
HIPAA sets the standard for sensitive patient data protection for the healthcare industry, ensuring that personal health information (PHI) is properly safeguarded while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide high-quality healthcare and protect public health.
Under HIPAA, PHI includes any information in a medical record or conversation between a patient and healthcare provider that can be used to identify the individual.
This includes medical records, billing information, and any other data concerning health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that is created or collected by a healthcare provider.
For example, suppose you visit a doctor’s office.
In that case, HIPAA ensures that the conversations you have with your doctor, the health records created from your visit, and your payment information are all protected.
Healthcare providers, insurance companies, and their business associates must follow strict rules about how this information can be used and shared.
HIPAA compliance involves implementing physical, network, and process security measures. This could include secure electronic health record systems, encryption of data transmissions, and policies limiting access to PHI.
Violations of HIPAA can result in significant fines for healthcare providers and their associates, emphasizing the law’s role in ensuring patient privacy.
Moreover, HIPAA gives you rights over your health information, including the right to obtain a copy of your health records, to correct inaccuracies in your records, and to be informed of how your information is used and shared.
This pushes individuals to take control of their health information and be active participants in their healthcare management.
