Why It Matters
HIPAA violations can result in significant fines, legal exposure, and reputational damage, but more importantly, they protect patient privacy and trust.
Compliance
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What HIPAA Is
HIPAA is a U.S. federal law that establishes standards for protecting protected health information (PHI), including electronic health records.
Background & History
HIPAA was enacted in 1996 to improve healthcare portability and efficiency. As healthcare digitized, HIPAA expanded to include the Security Rule, which defines administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for electronic patient data.
Industries That Commonly Need HIPAA
Medical practices
Home healthcare agencies
Behavioral health providers
Medical billing companies
Healthcare technology vendors