What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?

The primary purpose of HIPAA is to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. This legislation was enacted to ensure that sensitive patient data is handled with care, preventing unauthorized access and disclosure. HIPAA establishes national standards for the safeguarding of protected health information (PHI) held by healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates. Additionally, it empowers individuals by granting them rights over their health information, such as the right to access and request corrections to their medical records.

While there are elements of regulating healthcare costs, improving healthcare quality, and standardizing health information technology, these aspects are not the main focus of HIPAA. Instead, the central theme revolves around the confidentiality and security of personal health information, making it crucial for healthcare entities to implement measures that uphold these standards. This emphasis on privacy and security addresses the growing concerns regarding data breaches and the misuse of health information in the digital age.