Final answer:
The HIPAA Security Rule focuses on safeguarding electronic health information, while the HIPAA Privacy Rule addresses the individual's right to control their own health information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two primary distinctions between the HIPAA Security Rule and the HIPAA Privacy Rule relate to the protection of patient information. The HIPAA Security Rule primarily focuses on the security measures that covered entities, such as healthcare providers and insurance companies, must implement to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI). It sets specific standards for the technical, administrative, and physical safeguards that must be in place to protect ePHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
On the other hand, the HIPAA Privacy Rule primarily concerns the individual's right to control their own health information. It sets limits and conditions on who can access and use a person's protected health information (PHI) and outlines the individual's rights to obtain, inspect, copy, and amend their health records. It also requires covered entities to provide individuals with a notice that explains their privacy rights and how their information may be used or disclosed.
In summary, the HIPAA Security Rule focuses on safeguarding electronic health information through various security measures, while the HIPAA Privacy Rule addresses the individual's right to control their own health information and sets limits on its use and disclosure.