Health Insurance Mastery Practice Exam

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) deals primarily with?

1. Insurance premium rates

2. Disclosure of protected health information

3. Medicare coverage options

4. Coordination of benefits

The correct answer is: Disclosure of protected health information

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily focuses on the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). This legislation was enacted in 1996 to establish national standards for the protection of medical records and other personal health information. It regulates how health care providers, health plans, and other entities that handle health information must safeguard the privacy of individuals' health information. Under HIPAA, patients have the right to understand and control how their health information is used and disclosed. This includes provisions that govern the sharing of PHI, ensuring that it is only disclosed with appropriate consent and for permitted purposes, such as treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. The emphasis on protecting sensitive health information is crucial in maintaining patient confidentiality and trust within the healthcare system. The other options touch on different aspects of healthcare and insurance but do not align with the primary focus of HIPAA. Insurance premium rates, Medicare coverage options, and coordination of benefits are topics that may involve health insurance but are not the central concern of HIPAA regulations regarding the protection of health information.