What is the primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

The primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is multifaceted, with a significant focus on enhancing patient privacy and data security, as well as improving the portability of health insurance coverage. While continuity of health insurance coverage is a critical aspect of HIPAA, the act is especially noted for establishing standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information.

Enhancing patient privacy and data security involves setting regulations that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities must follow to ensure that sensitive patient information is handled appropriately, thus safeguarding individual rights concerning their health information. This objective aligns closely with the overall intent of HIPAA to create a more secure healthcare environment, which is fundamental in today’s digital age.

The focus on improving access to healthcare and reducing healthcare costs, while important considerations in the broader healthcare landscape, are not the principal objectives of HIPAA. Instead, HIPAA's core mission revolves around balancing the need for protection of health information while allowing the flow of health information necessary for quality care.