Which of the following is true about HIPAA?

• A. It offers no protections for health information
• B. It requires public disclosure of health records
• C. It grants patients rights regarding their health information
• D. It is specific to insurance companies only

Answer: (C)

The statement about HIPAA that is accurate is that it grants patients rights regarding their health information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It provides patients with several rights, including the right to access their health records, request corrections to their information, and receive an accounting of disclosures of their health information. This empowerment of patients helps ensure privacy and security with respect to their medical data.

By contrast, the other options do not accurately represent HIPAA's purpose or provisions. For instance, suggesting that HIPAA offers no protections for health information is incorrect, as the primary aim of the legislation is to provide such protections. Additionally, the notion that it requires public disclosure of health records contradicts HIPAA’s foundational principle of confidentiality. Finally, stating that HIPAA is specific to insurance companies overlooks the fact that it applies to all "covered entities," which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, not just insurance companies.