What does HIPAA aim to protect?

HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, primarily aims to protect patient privacy and the confidentiality of health information. This act establishes strict standards for safeguarding sensitive patient data, ensuring that personal health information (PHI) is not disclosed without patient consent. The core purpose of HIPAA is to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of this information, providing patients with greater control over their own health data.

By placing these protections in place, HIPAA not only enhances trust between patients and healthcare providers but also ensures compliance with regulations that dictate how healthcare entities handle, share, and store sensitive information. This focus on patient privacy and security is essential in fostering a healthcare environment where individuals feel safe and secure about their personal health information.