Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What does "HIPAA" stand for?

1. Health Insurance Program for America

2. Health Information Protection and Assessment Act

3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

4. Health Information Privacy and Accountability Act

The correct answer is: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The correct answer, "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act," refers to a significant piece of legislation enacted in 1996 that primarily aims to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. This legislation facilitates the transfer of health insurance between jobs, thus providing portability, and sets forth national standards for the protection of health information. Understanding this law is crucial for healthcare professionals and organizations as it establishes requirements for handling sensitive patient data. The act ensures that patients' medical records are kept confidential and accessible only to authorized individuals. The term "Portability" emphasizes the ability for individuals to maintain their health insurance coverage as they change jobs, while "Accountability" refers to the strict compliance measures that healthcare providers must follow to protect patient information. The other options do not accurately reflect the content or intent of the legislation, lacking essential keywords such as "Portability" and "Accountability," which are central to HIPAA's purpose.