Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which acronym corresponds to Public Law 104-91?

1. COBRA

2. HIPAA

3. FERPA

4. HITECH

The correct answer is: HIPAA

The correct acronym corresponding to Public Law 104-91 is HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA is a significant piece of legislation that addresses the protection of patient health information and the portability of this information in relation to health insurance coverage. HIPAA was designed to streamline the process of moving health insurance from one employer to another and to enhance the privacy and security of individual health records. This law implemented regulations regarding the confidentiality of health information, establishing standards for electronic healthcare transactions and safeguarding sensitive patient data from unauthorized access. In contrast, COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) provides workers and their families with the ability to continue their health insurance coverage after job loss or other qualifying events. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) governs the privacy of student education records, and HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) promotes the adoption of health information technology and improves healthcare through technology, but it is not tied to Public Law 104-91. Therefore, understanding the implications of HIPAA is crucial for anyone involved in healthcare to ensure compliance with regulations concerning patient information.