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Glossary

What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a significant piece of legislation in the United States that has far-reaching implications in the healthcare sector. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA is a federal law that was designed to provide privacy standards to protect patient's medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. 

Primary purpose of HIPAA: 

  • Protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information 

  • Give patients greater control over their health data 

 HIPAA:

  • Is a comprehensive law that covers several aspects of healthcare administration

  • Sets a national standard for electronic healthcare transactions  

  • Addresses the security and privacy of health data 

  • Aims to simplify the administration of health insurance 

  • Prevent healthcare fraud and abuse 

  • It is divided into several titles or sections  

  • Each address a unique aspect of health insurance reform  

  • When most people refer to HIPAA, they are referring to Title II, which outlines the policies and procedures for maintaining the privacy and the security of individually identifiable health information 

In conclusion, HIPAA has provided a national standard for the protection of personal health information, ensuring that patients have more control over their health data. As a result, HIPAA has played a crucial role in the protection of patient privacy and the security of health information.

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