What does HIPAA stand for?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This legislation was enacted in 1996 to enhance the portability of health insurance coverage for workers and to address issues of healthcare data privacy and security. The act established standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.

Understanding the components of the name is critical: "Health Insurance" emphasizes the focus on insurance coverage, "Portability" indicates the ability to maintain insurance coverage when changing jobs or circumstances, and "Accountability" signifies the necessity for healthcare providers and organizations to be responsible for protecting health information. This specific terminology encapsulates the essence of the law, which is why this answer is accurate.