What is the scope of HIPAA?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law that was passed in 1996. Its scope is mainly concerned with protecting the privacy of healthcare data. The law establishes strict rules for how health data should be stored and accessed, and by whom. HIPAA applies to all forms of healthcare, including medical, dental, cognitive, physical, and mental health services. HIPAA’s privacy and security rules are designed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of healthcare data. These rules set restrictions on who can access and use data, and also on how data should be handled and protected. Under HIPAA, healthcare providers must protect and secure health data by taking measures such as encrypting it, providing access control, and implementing a data loss prevention program. HIPAA also requires healthcare providers to provide individuals with access to their health data and to give them the right to have their data amended and corrected, if needed. Furthermore, healthcare providers must provide patients with an accounting of how their data has been used and disclosed. This includes information regarding who has accessed their data and for what purpose. Overall, HIPAA is designed to ensure that individuals’ health data remains secure and private. It safeguards the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health information, while ensuring that patients have control over their own data.

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