Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What categories of entities did the law passed by Congress in 1996 mandate identifiers for?

1. Healthcare providers, health plans, patients, employers

2. Insurance agents, patients, hospitals, employers

3. Government agencies, health providers, pharmacies, patients

4. Employers, health insurance brokers, health plans, caregivers

The correct answer is: Healthcare providers, health plans, patients, employers

The law passed by Congress in 1996, known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), established a framework for the protection of health information and designated specific entities that would be subject to identifiers. The correct answer encompasses healthcare providers, health plans, and employers as the primary entities for which identifiers were mandated. Healthcare providers are essential in ensuring the delivery of medical services and managing patient information, and they require unique identifiers to streamline transactions and maintain confidentiality. Health plans, which include various forms of insurance, also need identifiers to facilitate the handling of claims and coverage details. Additionally, employers play a critical role, as they typically provide health insurance to their employees and must navigate the administrative aspects of health benefits. This combination signifies the law's attention to key participants in the healthcare system, ensuring that there is a standardized method for identification that enhances the accountability and efficiency of healthcare operations while also safeguarding patient privacy.