Health Information and Privacy (HIPAA): Federal

Author: Jayne Zanglein, Western Carolina University

Updating Author: Brightmine Editorial Team

Summary

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA):

• Protects health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents that lose coverage or change jobs. See Portability of Health Care Coverage.
• Was strengthened by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). See Portability of Health Care Coverage.
• Prohibits discrimination against workers based on health status and genetic information. See Nondiscrimination Rules.
• Phases out annual and lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits. See Benefits and Benefit Plan Changes.
• Allows group health plans to offer different benefits and charge different premiums as an incentive to participate in a wellness program. See Wellness Programs.
• Establishes privacy rules designed to safeguard protected health information (PHI). See Medical Privacy Under HIPAA.
• Establishes security rules designed to safeguard electronic PHI (ePHI). See HIPAA's Security Rule.
• Was bolstered by the Health Information and Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. See HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.
• Provides significant penalties for HIPAA violations. See Enforcement Provisions.