What is the main purpose of HIPAA?

The primary aim of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to protect patient privacy and secure health information. This legislation establishes national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that individuals’ medical records and personal health information are kept confidential and safeguarded against unauthorized access. It includes provisions that govern how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handle sensitive health information, thus promoting trust between patients and healthcare providers.

In addition to ensuring privacy, HIPAA also provides rights to patients regarding their health information, such as the ability to access their own medical records and request corrections if needed. While aspects like healthcare costs or billing practices may be indirectly affected by HIPAA’s frameworks, the core mission revolves around maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of health information. This focus on privacy and security is essential in healthcare, where sensitive personal information is frequently handled.