What does HIPAA stand for?

The acronym HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA's primary purpose is to protect the privacy and security of individuals' medical information while ensuring that health insurance coverage remains portable for individuals who change or lose jobs. This act established standards for the protection of health information and set requirements for maintaining the confidentiality of patient data.

In contrast to the other options, which suggest different focuses or terms not included in the official legislation, the correct answer accurately reflects the key components of the law. The mention of "portability" emphasizes individuals' rights to maintain their health insurance coverage across different employment situations, while "accountability" refers to the regulations in place to ensure that healthcare entities handle sensitive information responsibly.