What is a key principle of HIPAA regarding patient information?

A key principle of HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is the confidentiality and protection of patient information. Under HIPAA, healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that handle protected health information (PHI) are required to keep this information confidential and secure. This principle is essential because it helps protect patients' privacy rights and ensures that they can trust healthcare providers to handle their personal health information responsibly.

This confidentiality requirement means that patient information should not be disclosed without the consent of the individual, except in specific circumstances defined by the law. HIPAA sets guidelines about who can access and share PHI, and those who violate these guidelines may face significant penalties.

In contrast, the idea that patient information must be made public contradicts the foundational principles of HIPAA and disregards patient privacy rights. The concepts that patient information is only relevant during treatment or can be shared with any third party also misrepresent HIPAA’s intent, as both suggest scenarios where confidentiality could be compromised without appropriate oversight or consent.