What is the purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

The purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is to regulate the use and disclosure of individuals' health information by covered entities, such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. This regulation establishes national standards to protect sensitive patient information, ensuring that it is not disclosed without the individual's consent or knowledge. The Privacy Rule aims to give patients greater control over their personal health information and sets forth requirements for how that information can be used, shared, and protected. This approach helps maintain patient confidentiality and trust in the healthcare system, which is fundamental to effective patient care and ethical practice in healthcare settings.