What is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ medical information. It establishes standards for the handling of health information, ensuring that health data is kept confidential and secure. HIPAA mandates that healthcare providers, insurers, and other entities involved in healthcare must implement safeguards to protect patient data, and it grants patients rights over their own health information, including the ability to access and request corrections to their records. Additionally, HIPAA includes provisions that address the portability of health insurance coverage for workers who change or lose jobs.