A Primer on HIPAA Compliance

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996, addresses the security and confidentiality of health data in the digital age. HIPAA applies to covered entities such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as business associates that handle protected health information (PHI) on behalf of these entities. The act consists of three key rules: the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule. Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) are contracts between covered entities and their business associates outlining how both parties ensure HIPAA compliance.