HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

• Legislation mandating specific privacy rules and practices for medical care providers and health insurance companies, designed to streamline the healthcare and insurance industries and to protect the privacy and identity of healthcare consumers. HIPAA also provides additional protections for consumers, designed to help them obtain or retain health insurance coverage in certain circumstances. For more information on HIPAA rules and regulations, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov.