{"id":355815,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/hipaa-the-health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act.html"},"modified":"2026-08-24T13:49:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T18:49:00","slug":"hipaa-the-health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/hipaa-the-health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act.html","title":{"rendered":"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Patient Privacy and Insurance Portability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Patient Privacy and Insurance Portability<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

HIPAA is a single federal law\u2014the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996\u2014that originally focused on protecting health insurance coverage when people changed jobs. Over time, the Affordable Care Act replaced most of HIPAA\u2019s portability rules, leaving its privacy and security standards under Title II as the part most people recognize today. These privacy rules govern how covered entities handle protected health information and give patients rights to access, correct, and control their medical records.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

HIPAA consists of five parts, or “titles.” Title I and Title II provide important protections for patients.<\/p>\n