What does HIPAA primarily protect in patient care?

• A. The privacy of scheduling and billing
• B. The privacy and security of a patient’s health information
• C. The rights of healthcare providers
• D. The cost of medical services

Answer: (B)

HIPAA is all about protecting patient information as it moves through care, billing, and administration. The main idea is safeguarding both the privacy and the security of a patient’s health information. The Privacy Rule restricts who may access or disclose that information and gives patients rights to access and control their records. The Security Rule adds safeguards to protect electronic health information from unauthorized access, breaches, and other risks. This protection covers information in any form—paper, electronic, or spoken—so it isn’t limited to scheduling and billing alone, nor is it about providers’ rights or the cost of care.