Health Records and Privacy Laws in the United States

D.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires the U.S.

Federal Department of Health and Human Services to publish and enforce regulations pertaining to electronic health records and identifiers between patients, providers, and insurance companies.

It is focused on the security controls and confidentiality of medical records, rather than the specific technologies used, so long as they meet the requirements of the regulations.

The correct answer is D. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

HIPAA is a United States law that was enacted in 1996 to improve the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage, while also protecting the privacy and security of individuals' health information. HIPAA applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as any business associates that handle protected health information (PHI) on their behalf.

HIPAA's Privacy Rule establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information, known as PHI. This includes information such as patients' names, addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers, as well as their medical diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions.

HIPAA's Security Rule sets national standards for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI (ePHI). It requires covered entities and their business associates to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect ePHI against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

HIPAA also includes provisions for breach notification, enforcement, and penalties for non-compliance. Any HIPAA-covered entity or business associate that violates the law can face significant fines and penalties, as well as reputational damage.

In summary, HIPAA is a United States law focused on data related to health records and privacy. It establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information, as well as for the protection of electronic health information.