HIPAA COMPLIANCE

HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law enacted in the United States in 1996. Its purpose is to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information and to ensure the portability of health insurance coverage.

The main goals of HIPAA are:

1. Privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI): HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' PHI held by covered entities such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It gives patients control over their health information and restricts unauthorized access and disclosure.
2. Security of Electronic PHI: HIPAA requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI) from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes measures such as access controls, encryption, and regular risk assessments.
3. Portability of Health Insurance Coverage: HIPAA ensures that individuals who lose or change jobs have the ability to continue their health insurance coverage without facing exclusions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. It also prohibits group health plans from discriminating against individuals based on their health status.

By establishing these standards and regulations, HIPAA aims to enhance the privacy and security of individuals' health information, promote interoperability of electronic health records, and provide individuals with greater control over their healthcare data.