What does HIPAA stand for?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This legislation was enacted in 1996 and is essential for safeguarding medical information and ensuring the privacy of patients' health data. The act facilitates the transfer of health insurance coverage for individuals moving between jobs, hence the term "portability." Additionally, it establishes national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information, promoting accountability in health care practices.

Understanding this context underscores the importance of privacy and the ability to maintain coverage, which are core principles of the legislation. The other options misrepresent the acronym by incorrectly defining key terms such as "privacy," "provision," and "authorization," which are not part of the official title of the act.