What does HIPAA primarily address in the healthcare industry?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, primarily focuses on data privacy and security in the healthcare industry. It establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This law mandates that healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive patient information while allowing for its necessary flow for work and treatment purposes.

By emphasizing data privacy and security, HIPAA aims to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access and breaches, while also providing patients with rights over their health information. This includes rights such as requesting their health information, obtaining copies of their medical records, and knowing who has accessed their data.

Thus, the focus of HIPAA on establishing a framework for the protection of data privacy and security is essential in the healthcare industry, impacting how healthcare entities manage and protect patient information.