HIPAA is the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The law's primary goal is to make it easier for people to maintain health insurance, protect privacy and security of health information and help the healthcare industry control administrative costs. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA was first introduced in 1996. It was enacted into law by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects an individual's medical records and other personal health information. Some of the things that HIPAA does for a patient is that it gives patients more control over their health information. Establishes limits on the use and release of medical records. Sets forth appropriate guidelines for healthcare providers and others to adopt to protect the privacy of patients' health information. Holds violators accountable, which can be enforced in court if they violate patients' HIPAA privacy rights. Overall, HIPAA goes where health information cannot go b...