What is the purpose of HIPAA's Privacy Rule?

The purpose of HIPAA's Privacy Rule is to protect personal health information (PHI). This regulation establishes national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information held by covered entities and their business associates. By addressing the privacy and security of PHI, the Privacy Rule ensures that patients have rights over their health information, including the ability to access their records and request corrections. The emphasis on safeguarding personal health information is crucial for maintaining patient confidentiality, trust in healthcare providers, and compliance with legal standards in healthcare practices.

While enhancing healthcare operations, making healthcare more affordable, and increasing patient satisfaction are important aspects of the healthcare system, they do not directly align with the specific aim of the Privacy Rule. The primary focus is fundamentally rooted in the protection and confidentiality of personal health information.