Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which legislation included provisions for electronic health records and health information technology?

1. Medicare Modernization Act

2. Affordable Care Act (ACA)

3. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

4. Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act

The correct answer is: Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is the legislation that specifically included provisions for electronic health records (EHRs) and health information technology. Enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it aimed to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology, particularly EHRs, in healthcare settings. HITECH provided incentives for healthcare providers and institutions to implement EHR systems and improve the secure exchange of health information. Additionally, it reinforced the privacy and security protections established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and addressed issues surrounding the use of electronic health records, ensuring that healthcare data could be used effectively while maintaining patient confidentiality and security. In contrast, the other legislation mentioned does not focus primarily on health information technology. The Medicare Modernization Act primarily concerns Medicare and prescription drug benefits; the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mainly addresses health insurance coverage and reform; and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act is primarily related to the ACA and education provisions, not specifically to health information technology.