Which of the following statements about HIPAA is true?

The statement that HIPAA applies to all forms of personal health information is accurate because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was established to safeguard the privacy and security of an individual's protected health information (PHI) across various contexts. This encompasses not only mental health records but all health information maintained by covered entities such as health plans, healthcare providers, and healthcare clearinghouses, regardless of the format—whether it is electronic, paper, or oral.

HIPAA's regulations extend to a wide array of personal health information, ensuring that patient confidentiality is protected uniformly and robustly across the entire healthcare system. This broad applicability is essential for maintaining the trust in the healthcare system, making it clear that all individuals’ health information deserves protection, not just specific categories.