Is HIPAA the only federal law governing patient privacy?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a significant federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of patients' health information. However, it is not the only law governing patient privacy. Other federal laws also play a role in protecting health information, including regulations like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which provides privacy protections for students' educational records, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which protects individuals from discrimination based on their genetic information.

Additionally, certain specialized laws provide further privacy protections in specific contexts, such as the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records regulation (42 CFR Part 2). Furthermore, states can have their own laws that may offer stronger protections than HIPAA, which means that a comprehensive understanding of patient privacy requires consideration of a variety of laws beyond HIPAA. This multifaceted approach is essential for ensuring the protection of individuals' sensitive health information in various scenarios and settings.