Why is HIPAA Important?

HIPAA is important because it sets enforceable national standards that limit how protected health information may be used and disclosed, require administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for electronic protected health information, establish breach assessment and notification obligations, and impose accountability on HIPAA Covered Entities and Business Associates through oversight, corrective actions, and penalties.

Privacy Protections for Protected Health Information

The HIPAA Privacy Rule sets limits on uses and disclosures of protected health information and requires safeguards to reduce unauthorized access and disclosure. The HIPAA Privacy Rule also supports consistent handling of individual rights processes that involve protected health information.

Security Safeguards for Electronic Protected Health Information

The HIPAA Security Rule requires administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic protected health information. These safeguards govern access controls, workforce security, audit controls, integrity protections, and transmission security in systems and workflows used to handle electronic protected health information.

Breach Response and Notification Standards

The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule establishes requirements for assessing and responding to breaches of unsecured protected health information. This framework supports consistent internal reporting, documentation, and timely notification actions when a reportable event is identified.

Accountability Through Agreements and Enforcement

HIPAA assigns duties to Business Associates through written agreements and direct regulatory requirements that apply to Business Associates. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights enforces civil compliance requirements, and U.S. Department of Justice may pursue criminal cases involving knowing misuse of protected health information.