Published: August 18, 2016
On August 21, 1996, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, was signed into law to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.
“For too long, tens of millions of Americans have been denied health insurance coverage because they have preexisting conditions...this Act will ensure the portability of health benefits when workers change or lose their jobs and will protect workers against discrimination by health plans based on their health status.”
Public Law 104-191 - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 - August 21, 1996
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110 Stat. 1936 - Health Coverage Availability and Affordability Act of 1996
View Public Law 104-191 as it appears in the Statutes at Large.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule
HIPAA required the Department of Health and Human Services to issue privacy regulations governing individually identifiable health information. The final regulation, the Privacy Rule, was published December 28, 2000. The final regulation, combined with subsequent modifications, can be found at 45 CFR Part 160 (PDF) and Part 164 (PDF), Subparts A and E.