What aspect of HIPAA requires entities to maintain the confidentiality of protected health information?

The Privacy Rule is a critical component of HIPAA that specifically mandates the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It establishes national standards for the handling of protected health information (PHI) and outlines the rights of individuals regarding their health information, including the right to access and request corrections to their records. This rule is designed to ensure that health care providers, health plans, and other covered entities appropriately safeguard sensitive health information from unauthorized access or disclosure.

The Privacy Rule emphasizes the importance of confidentiality by requiring healthcare entities to implement policies and procedures that limit access to PHI to only those who need it for legitimate purposes, such as treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. Moreover, it empowers patients by providing them with rights over their health information, such as the right to know how their information is used and the right to authorize disclosures.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of HIPAA. The Security Rule focuses on protecting electronic PHI through administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. The Transaction Rule relates to the standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets. Lastly, the Enforcement Rule outlines the procedures for investigations, penalties, and enforcement of the HIPAA rules. Each of these plays a role in the comprehensive framework