HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) was passed by Congress to address the privacy of individuals' health information by establishing a nation-wide federal standard concerning the privacy of health information (e.g., medical records, medical billing records, etc.) and how it can be used and disclosed. Entities covered by HIPAA regulations include health care providers (physicians, hospitals, etc.), health plans and health care billing organizations.

HIPAA also requires employers to identify a Privacy Officer who is responsible for oversight of these regulations within their organization. The Human Resources division has an appointed individual who is able to assist staff with any HIPAA-related questions.