What federal law protects patient privacy of health care information and controls its distribution?

• A. HIPAA
• B. Tissue pathology
• C. Edema
• D. Biopsy

Answer: (A)

HIPAA is the federal protection for patient privacy of health information. It creates national standards for safeguarding protected health information (PHI) and controls how that information can be used and shared. It applies to covered entities like health plans and health care providers, and to their business associates, and it specifies who can access PHI, what information can be shared, and when, with safeguards and a “minimum necessary” rule. It also gives patients rights to access their records, request amendments, and receive an accounting of disclosures, along with penalties for improper disclosures.

The other terms are medical concepts, not privacy laws. Tissue pathology, edema, and biopsy refer to medical processes or conditions and do not govern the protection or distribution of patient health information.