Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), The U.S. Office of Civil Rights oversees this act, which was first instituted in 1996, to closely monitor access the confidential medical information if made public, can reveal at the identity of the patient. HIPAA protects the privacy of patients and medical data is maintained. Those who violate patient privacy by ignoring HIPAA guidelines may sentence charges or civil repercussions.
