What does the Privacy Rule in HIPAA establish?

The Privacy Rule in HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, which is fundamental to maintaining the confidentiality and security of patient data. This rule sets forth guidelines that dictate how healthcare entities must handle protected health information (PHI), ensuring that individuals' medical records and personal health information are not disclosed without their consent or knowledge.

The Privacy Rule also provides patients with rights regarding their health information, such as the right to access their records and request corrections. By implementing these standards, the Privacy Rule plays a crucial role in safeguarding patient privacy, promoting trust in the healthcare system, and empowering individuals to take control of their health information.

While aspects like patient billing, healthcare costs, and insurance algorithms are crucial to healthcare management, they do not fall under the specific protections outlined by the Privacy Rule, which is focused solely on health information privacy.