HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a U.S. law that protects the privacy and security of personal health information (PHI) while also addressing health insurance coverage. It sets national standards for covered entities, like healthcare providers and health plans, to safeguard patient data through rules on privacy, security, and breach notifications, and it gives patients rights to access and control their own health records.
What HIPAA is and does:
- Defines Health Information Standards:HIPAA establishes federal standards for the privacy and security of PHI, ensuring that your health information is protected.
- Protects Patient Rights:It gives you rights to access your health records, request corrections, and receive a notice of how your information is used and shared.
- Mandates Security Measures:The law requires healthcare providers and other covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic PHI.
- Establishes Breach Notification:The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires organizations to notify affected individuals and the government when their unsecured PHI is breached.
- Ensures Insurance Portability:Title I of HIPAA helps protect health insurance coverage for workers and their families, preventing “job lock” by limiting the impact of pre-existing conditions.
Who must comply:
- Covered Entities:These are individuals and organizations that meet the definition of a covered entity under HIPAA, such as healthcare providers (doctors, hospitals), health plans (insurance companies), and healthcare clearinghouses.
- Business Associates:Entities that perform functions on behalf of a covered entity and handle PHI are also subject to HIPAA.
How it affects you:
- Control over your health information:You have the right to request a copy of your health records, ask for corrections, and decide who can access your information.
- Protection from discrimination:HIPAA and related civil rights laws aim to protect your fundamental health rights.
- Notification in case of a breach:If your health information is improperly accessed, you will be notified as required by the breach notification rule.