What does HIPAA require in terms of safeguarding PHI?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, mandates covered entities and their business associates to implement comprehensive safeguards to protect patients' Protected Health Information (PHI). The correct choice highlights the requirement for administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.

Administrative safeguards involve policies and procedures that manage the selection, development, implementation, and maintenance of security measures that protect PHI and manage the conduct of the workforce in relation to the protection of that information. Physical safeguards encompass the security of the physical facilities and the equipment used to house PHI, ensuring unauthorized individuals cannot access locations where PHI is stored or processed. Technical safeguards include the technology and related policies and procedures that protect electronic PHI (ePHI) and control access to it.

Together, these safeguards create a robust framework designed to prevent unauthorized access to PHI, thus reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive health information. This multifaceted approach is essential in maintaining compliance with HIPAA requirements and protecting patient privacy effectively.