HIPAA regulates which aspects of healthcare?

• A. Privacy and security of protected health information and patient rights to access and control their records
• B. Hospital budgeting and purchasing
• C. Pharmacy inventory management
• D. Insurance premium calculations

Answer: (A)

HIPAA focuses on protecting health information and controlling how it is used and disclosed. The standard sets nationwide rules for protecting the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) and gives patients rights to access and control their records. This means covered entities and business associates must implement safeguards for PHI, limit disclosures without patient authorization, and provide patients with access to their own files, the ability to request corrections, and an accounting of disclosures. It doesn’t govern activities like hospital budgeting, purchasing, pharmacy inventory, or how premiums are calculated, which are outside HIPAA’s scope.