HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1996 to safeguard individuals’ sensitive health information. HIPAA establishes standards for the electronic exchange of healthcare data and aims to protect the privacy and security of patients’ medical records and personal health information. The law applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, setting guidelines for the secure handling and transmission of protected health information (PHI). HIPAA also grants individuals certain rights over their health data and outlines penalties for unauthorized disclosure or breaches of patient privacy.