What does HIPAA primarily protect?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, primarily focuses on the protection of patient health information privacy. This law was established to ensure that individuals' health information is kept confidential and secure, allowing patients to have control over their personal medical information. Under HIPAA, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities involved in healthcare must implement strict safeguards to protect patient data from unauthorized access and disclosure. This privacy protection is crucial for maintaining trust between patients and their healthcare providers, ensuring that sensitive health details are handled with care.

While the other options mention important aspects of healthcare, they do not encapsulate the core focus of HIPAA. For instance, patient financial information, healthcare facility regulations, and employee confidentiality are relevant topics but do not align with the specific intent of HIPAA, which is dedicated to ensuring the privacy and security of health information.