What does HIPAA ensure regarding health information?

What does HIPAA ensure regarding health information?

• A. It allows unrestricted access to health records
• B. It mandates public sharing of health information
• C. It protects health information from being shared without consent
• D. It encourages frequent updates of health records

Answer: (C)

The correct choice highlights the primary purpose of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which is to safeguard individuals' health information. Specifically, HIPAA establishes regulations that require healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that hold patient information to protect that data and limit its disclosure. This means that health information cannot be shared without the explicit consent of the individual, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. The other responses do not reflect the core objectives of HIPAA. Unrestricted access or public sharing of health information would breach patient confidentiality and violate privacy rights, which HIPAA aims to protect. Additionally, while maintaining accurate and updated health records is important, HIPAA does not specifically mandate the frequency of updates; rather, its focus is on securing the privacy and integrity of the information itself.

The correct choice highlights the primary purpose of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which is to safeguard individuals' health information. Specifically, HIPAA establishes regulations that require healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that hold patient information to protect that data and limit its disclosure. This means that health information cannot be shared without the explicit consent of the individual, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.

The other responses do not reflect the core objectives of HIPAA. Unrestricted access or public sharing of health information would breach patient confidentiality and violate privacy rights, which HIPAA aims to protect. Additionally, while maintaining accurate and updated health records is important, HIPAA does not specifically mandate the frequency of updates; rather, its focus is on securing the privacy and integrity of the information itself.