The privacy and data security portions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) were passed in 1996.
HIPAA is a federal law in the United States that was enacted to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. It consists of several sections, including the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule, which address different aspects of safeguarding health information.
The Privacy Rule, implemented in 2003, establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information held by covered entities, such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It governs how this information is used and disclosed, and grants individuals certain rights regarding their health information.
The Security Rule, implemented in 2005, sets standards for the security of electronic protected health information (ePHI). It requires covered entities to implement safeguards to protect ePHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. The Security Rule aims to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.
Both the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule play vital roles in safeguarding individuals' health information and promoting privacy and data security in the healthcare industry. By establishing comprehensive regulations and requirements, HIPAA strives to ensure that healthcare organizations handle and protect health information responsibly and ethically.