What is a U.S. law that sets the standards for protecting sensitive patient health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the U.S. law that establishes the standards for protecting sensitive patient health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA was designed to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system and to safeguard individuals' medical records and other personal health information.

One of HIPAA's key components is the Privacy Rule, which sets national standards for the protection of certain health information, ensuring that patients have rights over their own health information, including control over how it is shared. The Security Rule further complements this by outlining safeguards that must be in place to protect electronic health information.

While the HITECH Act also plays a significant role in promoting the adoption of electronic health records and enforcing stricter penalties for HIPAA violations, it does not serve as the foundational law for the protection of patient health information itself. The Patient Bill of Rights, though important in advocating for patient rights, does not specifically set standards for the protection of health information like HIPAA does. Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any individually identifiable health information, but it is not a law; rather, it's a term defined under HIPAA.

Understanding HIPAA is crucial for oncology navigation professionals, as they often handle sensitive patient information