What is the purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

The purpose of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is to establish standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This rule was designed to ensure that patients’ private health information is handled with confidentiality and protected from unauthorized access or disclosure.

By setting specific standards for how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities must handle personal health information, the Privacy Rule empowers individuals with rights over their information, such as the right to access their medical records and request corrections.

This focus on protecting personal health information is crucial in today's digital age, where data breaches are a significant concern. The Privacy Rule balances the need for healthcare providers to access necessary information for treatment while safeguarding individuals' privacy and confidentiality. Other choices do not encapsulate this primary focus of the Privacy Rule.