What is the main purpose of HIPAA?

The primary purpose of HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to protect the privacy of individuals' health information. This federal law establishes national standards for the protection of medical records and other personal health information, ensuring that such information is kept confidential and secure. HIPAA mandates that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that handle health information implement safeguards to protect patient data from unauthorized access or disclosure. This focus on privacy aims to maintain the trust between patients and healthcare providers, encouraging individuals to seek medical advice and treatment without fear that their sensitive information will be misused.

While other options may touch on aspects related to healthcare, they do not capture the core intent of HIPAA, which is fundamentally about privacy protection.