What is the main focus of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

The main focus of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is to protect patient health information privacy. HIPAA was enacted to establish national standards for the protection of certain health information. It governs how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities can use and disclose personally identifiable health information, safeguarding individuals' medical privacy and ensuring that patients' sensitive data remains confidential.

The privacy rule developed under HIPAA sets requirements for the protection of individuals’ medical records and personal health information, thus reinforcing the importance of confidentiality in healthcare settings. This legislation gives patients rights over their health information, including the right to obtain a copy of their records and to request corrections to their information.

While timely processing of insurance claims, regulation of healthcare costs, and ensuring access to healthcare services are important aspects of the healthcare system, these are not the primary focus of HIPAA. Instead, the act primarily emphasizes maintaining the privacy and security of patient data as healthcare providers manage and share information.