The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was enacted by the United States Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996.

HIPAA ensures that health data is safeguarded to prevent it from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. HIPAA protects the privacy of patients by prohibiting certain uses and disclosures of health information. HIPAA allows patients to obtain copies of their health information.

The Act consists of five Titles.

Title I of HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs.

Title II of HIPAA, known as the Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions, requires the establishment of national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers.

Title III sets guidelines for pre-tax medical spending accounts

Title IV sets guidelines for group health plans

Title V governs company-owned life insurance policies.