The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule establishes national standards for the protection of individuals’ medical records and personal health information (PHI). It sets guidelines for how healthcare providers, insurers, and other covered entities handle and share PHI, ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality.
Key Provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule:
- Patient Rights: Grants patients the right to access, amend, and control the use of their PHI.
- Use and Disclosure: Limits the use and disclosure of PHI without patient authorization, except for specific purposes such as treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
- Safeguards: Requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI.
- Compliance and Enforcement: Establishes enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance with the privacy standards.