What does the acronym HIPAA stand for?

The acronym HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This legislation was enacted in 1996 and focuses on the protection of patient health information and the ability of individuals to maintain their health insurance coverage when transitioning between jobs or in other situations where coverage may be at risk. The act established national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers.

The focus on both portability—which allows for the transfer of health insurance coverage without penalties or denial based on pre-existing conditions—and accountability, which establishes strict protocols for the handling and safeguarding of personal health information, underlines the intent of the legislation to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system while ensuring patient privacy.