What does the Privacy Rule focus on?

The Privacy Rule focuses on the protection of patients' health information and the circumstances under which it can be disclosed. Enacted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), this rule establishes national standards for the privacy of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It gives patients greater control over their health information and ensures that their data is used in a confidential manner by healthcare providers and other entities involved in healthcare.

This emphasis on the disclosure of health information is crucial as it sets guidelines for when and how patient information can be shared, ensuring that patients' rights are upheld while still allowing necessary information flow for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. The focus is fundamentally on maintaining confidentiality and protecting personal health data from unauthorized use or exposure, which is vital in the healthcare industry.