Which of the following is a primary focus of the Privacy Rule under HIPAA?

The primary focus of the Privacy Rule under HIPAA is to protect patient health information. This rule establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, specifically by regulating how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handle and disclose individuals' protected health information (PHI).

By setting these regulations, the Privacy Rule aims to give patients more control over their health information, ensuring that it is used and shared appropriately while safeguarding their rights to privacy. The emphasis on protecting patient health information pertains not only to the data itself but also to the circumstances under which it can be accessed or shared, thereby promoting trust and confidentiality within the healthcare system.

While ensuring the security of electronic records, establishing standards for health plan operations, and managing healthcare costs are important aspects of healthcare regulation and reform, these functions fall under different components of HIPAA or other healthcare laws and regulations. The Privacy Rule’s distinct focus on the confidentiality and protection of personal health information sets it apart as crucial to maintaining patient privacy rights.