Regulations library · US federal

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules

In force US federal health security breach notification

Governs protected health information held by the health care system and its vendors: permitted uses and disclosures, patient rights, security safeguards for electronic records, and breach notice.

At a glance

Who it applies to
Covered entities (health plans, clearinghouses and most providers) and their business associates.
Who enforces it
HHS Office for Civil Rights
When
In effect since 14 April 2003. Privacy Rule compliance from 14 April 2003; Security Rule from 20 April 2005; Breach Notification Rule from 23 September 2009.

A practical guide to this law, with scenarios and flashcards, is being written. The summary above is the reference entry.

Recent developments

Nothing reported yet. Regulatory Watch lists new rules, enforcement and court decisions as they arrive.

Sources

Primary sources are being added to this entry.

Dates and status are from the association's inventory and are being checked against primary sources. This page explains the law for practitioners; it is not legal advice.