Hi everyone! I've been hearing a lot about HIPAA, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Can someone please explain what HIPAA stands for and why it's important in the healthcare industry? Thanks in advance!

HIPAA's primary goal is to protect patients' sensitive health information by establishing robust privacy and security measures. Understanding what does HIPAA stand for is essential in comprehending its impact on patient privacy and healthcare practices. It applies to healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and their business associates. HIPAA requires covered entities to handle patients' personal health data with utmost confidentiality, ensuring it is only used or disclosed for authorized purposes. It also grants patients certain rights over their health information, such as the right to access their medical records and request corrections to inaccurate data.