What does the Privacy Rule primarily focus on?

The Privacy Rule primarily focuses on patient rights with respect to their health information. This includes establishing national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and personal health information. The Privacy Rule outlines the rights patients have regarding their health data, such as the right to access their medical records, request corrections, and be informed about how their information is used and shared. This emphasis on individual rights is a critical component of the HIPAA framework, ensuring that patients have control over their own health information and that it remains confidential.

While there are aspects of HIPAA that address security measures for electronic records, public health reporting, and medical billing procedures, these elements are covered under other provisions of HIPAA or separate regulations, rather than being the primary focus of the Privacy Rule itself.