HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIPAA is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1996 that protects the privacy and security of patients' health information. It sets national standards for how medical information should be handled, especially in digital form.

🔐 Key Objectives of HIPAA

• Protect Patient Privacy: Ensures personal health information (PHI) is not disclosed without patient consent.
• Secure Electronic Health Records: Requires strong safeguards for storing and transmitting digital health data (ePHI).
• Patient Rights: Gives individuals access to their health records and the ability to request corrections.

⚖️ Who Must Comply with HIPAA?

• Hospitals and Clinics
• Doctors, Nurses, and Other Healthcare Providers
• Health Insurance Companies
• Medical Billing Services and IT Providers (Business Associates)

📄 HIPAA Privacy Rule

The Privacy Rule limits the use and disclosure of protected health information without patient authorization. It requires providers to inform patients about how their information will be used.

🔒 HIPAA Security Rule

The Security Rule requires administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

🧾 Examples of Protected Health Information (PHI)

• Patient name, address, and phone number
• Medical history, diagnosis, and treatments
• Health insurance ID numbers
• Any data that can identify the individual in connection with their health

Note: HIPAA applies primarily in the United States. If you operate outside the U.S., your privacy responsibilities may be governed by local laws (e.g., GDPR in Europe).