CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?

1. To improve healthcare access

2. To safeguard the privacy of patient records

3. To regulate pharmaceutical pricing

4. To enhance medical research

The correct answer is: To safeguard the privacy of patient records

The primary purpose of HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to safeguard the privacy of patient records. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This law ensures that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities maintain the confidentiality of patient information and protect it from unauthorized access or disclosure. The focus of HIPAA is on the patient's right to privacy and the security of their health information. By implementing strict rules about how patient data must be handled, HIPAA aims to protect individuals from potential data breaches and ensure that their sensitive information is only shared with their consent or as legally permitted. In contrast, while the other options touch on important aspects of healthcare, they do not align with the primary goal of HIPAA. Improving healthcare access relates more to reforms and policies aimed at making healthcare services available to more people. Regulating pharmaceutical pricing addresses cost concerns within the industry, and enhancing medical research involves facilitating studies and discoveries. These aspects, while relevant to the healthcare conversation, fall outside the specific aims of HIPAA.