What is the purpose of HIPAA?

The purpose of HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to protect patients' medical records and health information. This federal law was enacted to establish national standards for the protection of certain health information. It ensures that individuals' private health information is handled securely and confidentially, thereby allowing patients to have control over their own medical information. HIPAA sets restrictions on how healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities can use and disclose a patient's health information, and it gives patients rights regarding their health information, such as the right to access their records.

In contrast, the other options address areas that fall outside the scope of HIPAA. Regulating labor laws pertains to employment standards and worker rights rather than patient privacy. Ensuring workplace safety relates to occupational health and safety regulations, which are managed by different frameworks. While managing insurance premiums for employers is an important aspect of health insurance but does not relate to the protections and rights offered under HIPAA. Understanding the specific focus of HIPAA helps clarify its critical role in the healthcare system.