Georgia Navigator Practice Exam

What does HIPAA stand for?

1. Health Information Protection and Accountability Act

2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

3. Health Improvement and Prevention Act

4. Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act

The correct answer is: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The correct answer, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, reflects the primary focus of the legislation. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA was designed primarily to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information while also ensuring that health insurance coverage is maintained between jobs. The term "portability" emphasizes the ability for individuals to retain health insurance coverage when changing or losing jobs, while "accountability" stresses the importance of protecting personal health information from misuse. This dual focus on privacy and insurance continuity makes the official name of the act particularly significant in the realm of healthcare. The other options, while they may contain elements related to health or privacy, do not accurately reflect the legislation’s true name or its comprehensive intent.