Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Who must comply with the Security Rule?

1. Only health insurance companies

2. Any person or organization that stores or transmits identifiable health information electronically

3. Only hospitals and clinics

4. Patients themselves

The correct answer is: Any person or organization that stores or transmits identifiable health information electronically

The Security Rule requires compliance from any person or organization that stores or transmits identifiable health information electronically. This includes not only health insurance companies but also healthcare providers, healthcare clearinghouses, and business associates that handle such information. The Security Rule is part of the broader HIPAA regulations designed to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). This requirement ensures that all entities that interact with ePHI implement appropriate safeguards to protect against unauthorized access and breaches. The rule sets standards for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI, which are vital for maintaining patient privacy and trust in the healthcare system. By defining compliance in this broader context, the Security Rule upholds the intention of HIPAA to maintain a standard for handling sensitive health information across various sectors within healthcare, not limited to hospitals or clinics, and does not directly impose compliance on patients.