What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?

The primary purpose of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to protect the privacy of patient-specific health care information. This landmark legislation establishes national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that individuals' medical records and other personal health information are kept confidential and secure. By implementing strict guidelines on how health care providers, insurers, and other entities handle and share patient information, HIPAA aims to give patients greater control over their health information and safeguard it from unauthorized access.

The focus of HIPAA is significantly centered on privacy and security, which is vital for maintaining trust between patients and health care providers. This aspect is critical in a health care system where sensitive information is routinely exchanged, and patients expect that their personal health details will be kept private.