The HIPAA Act of 1996 established regulations to protect the privacy and security of certain types of health information. These regulations are commonly referred to as “HIPAA” but are also called the HIPPA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule. The Privacy Rule requires confidentiality, authorization, and disclosures of Protected Health Information (oral, paper, or electronic). The Security Rule specifically relates to the protection of Electronic Protected Health Information (or e-PHI). The Security Rule works in conjunction with the Privacy Rule and uses administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect e-PHI.
