Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

Which act, enacted in 1996, is designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records?

1. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

2. Healthcare Quality Improvement Act

3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

4. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

The correct answer is: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996, establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It specifically focuses on ensuring that personally identifiable information is kept confidential and secure, thereby enhancing patient privacy. This act introduces rules regarding the use and disclosure of health information, giving patients greater control over their own health data and requiring healthcare providers to implement safeguards to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches. In contrast, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act primarily deals with federal budget management and health care service financing. The Healthcare Quality Improvement Act is focused on improving the quality of care through peer review processes rather than privacy. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is primarily associated with health insurance coverage and costs, not specifically the privacy of health records. Thus, HIPAA is uniquely aimed at designing privacy standards for patient information.