Legal Definitions - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a law that protects the privacy of your health information. This law applies to both healthcare providers and insurance companies. It prevents them from sharing your personal health information without your permission.

Personal health information includes things like your medical history, treatments you've received, and insurance policy information. It also includes any information that can be used to identify you, like your name, birth date, or social security number.

For example, if you go to the doctor and they write down your symptoms and diagnosis, that information is protected by HIPAA. The doctor cannot share that information with anyone else without your permission.

Another example is if you have health insurance and your insurance company has your personal informationon file. They cannot share that information with anyone else without your permission.

HIPAA is important because it helps keep your personal health information private and secure. This way, you can feel safe knowing that your information is protected and only shared with those who need to know.