The federal law protecting the privacy of health information is known as ______.

The federal law protecting the privacy of health information is known as ______.

• A. FERPA
• B. HITECH
• C. HIPAA
• D. COBRA

Answer: (C)

Protecting the privacy of health information is governed by a federal standard that sets nationwide rules for how medical records and other private health data can be used and disclosed. This law is HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It creates the Privacy Rule, limiting who may access protected health information and under what circumstances, and the Security Rule, outlining safeguards for electronic health data. It also gives patients rights to access and amend their records and requires breach notification. While related laws exist—FERPA covers education records, HITECH expanded HIPAA's privacy and security provisions and promotes electronic health records, and COBRA deals with continuing health insurance after job loss—HIPAA is the primary framework specifically protecting health information privacy.

Protecting the privacy of health information is governed by a federal standard that sets nationwide rules for how medical records and other private health data can be used and disclosed. This law is HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It creates the Privacy Rule, limiting who may access protected health information and under what circumstances, and the Security Rule, outlining safeguards for electronic health data. It also gives patients rights to access and amend their records and requires breach notification. While related laws exist—FERPA covers education records, HITECH expanded HIPAA's privacy and security provisions and promotes electronic health records, and COBRA deals with continuing health insurance after job loss—HIPAA is the primary framework specifically protecting health information privacy.