What is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of individuals’ health information. It was signed into law in 1996, and it applies to North Carolina and all states in the United States. HIPAA covers both electronic health records and paper records. It sets standards for how healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and healthcare clearinghouses can keep and share personal health information. HIPAA sets out rights and rules for how individuals can access and manage their health information. It also sets limits on how and when providers can share personal health information with third parties such as insurance companies and law enforcement. HIPAA requires covered entities to disclose to individuals their rights to access and control their health information, and it also requires covered entities to have safeguards in place to protect the privacy and security of health information. HIPAA helps protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information by setting strict rules on how personal health information can be used and shared. In North Carolina, HIPAA applies to most healthcare providers, health insurers, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and some employers. If a covered entity is found to be in violation of HIPAA, it can be subject to penalties and fines.
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