Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

What is one of the main purposes of implementing safeguards for e-PHI?

1. To increase accessibility

2. To protect against unauthorized access or loss

3. To ensure data is easily transferable

4. To comply with advertising regulations

The correct answer is: To protect against unauthorized access or loss

The implementation of safeguards for electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI) primarily aims to protect against unauthorized access or loss of that sensitive data. This is crucial because e-PHI contains personal and health-related information that, if compromised, could lead to identity theft, fraud, or other harmful consequences for individuals. The safeguards outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) include administrative, physical, and technical measures designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of e-PHI. By implementing these safeguards, healthcare organizations not only protect patient information but also uphold regulatory compliance, which is essential for maintaining trust and confidence in the healthcare system. In contrast, other options present purposes that may not align as closely with the core objectives of HIPAA. While accessibility and data transfer are important aspects of healthcare management, the fundamental requirement of HIPAA is to safeguard personal health information from breaches and unauthorized access, which is a significant concern in the digital age. Compliance with advertising regulations, while necessary in its own right, does not pertain directly to the protection of patient information and is outside the scope of HIPAA’s primary focus.