What is HIPAA? and How to Handle HIPAA as Developer?

 

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It is a U.S. law designed to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI - Protected Health Information) from being shared without consent.

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Why is HIPAA Important?

It ensures that:
✅ Patient data remains private and secure
✅ Healthcare providers, insurers, and tech companies follow strict rules
✅ Patients have control over their health information

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Who Needs to Follow HIPAA?

• Hospitals & Clinics 🏥

• Doctors & Nurses 👨‍⚕️

• Health Insurance Companies 💳

• Pharmacies 💊

• Tech companies handling healthcare data (like AI applications processing medical records)

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HIPAA Rules (Simplified)

1. Privacy Rule – Controls who can access and share PHI.

2. Security Rule – Requires safeguards (encryption, secure access) to protect PHI.

3. Breach Notification Rule – Companies must notify patients if their data is hacked or leaked.

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Example of a HIPAA Violation

If a hospital employee emails patient records to an unauthorized person, it's a HIPAA breach. The hospital could be fined heavily!

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How Does This Relate to AI & Tech?

If you're building AI solutions in healthcare, your system must:
✅ Encrypt patient data 🔒
✅ Restrict unauthorized access 🚫
✅ Ensure audit logs track all access & modifications 📜