What does the acronym HIPAA stand for?

The acronym HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This legislation, enacted in 1996, is primarily designed to protect sensitive patient health information and provide rights to patients regarding their health information. It establishes standards for the storage and transmission of electronic health data and mandates safeguards to ensure data privacy and security.

Understanding the full name of HIPAA is essential, as it highlights the act's dual emphasis: "Portability" refers to the assurance that individuals can maintain their health insurance coverage when they change jobs or become unemployed, while "Accountability" pertains to the enforcement of data privacy standards and the accountability of entities that handle personal health information. This distinction is important in the context of health care compliance and the necessity for health care organizations to adhere to regulatory requirements regarding patient information.