HIPAA
The federal law governing the privacy and security of protected health information.
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HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) sets national rules for protecting patient health information. Its Privacy Rule governs how protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, and its Security Rule sets safeguards for electronic PHI.
HIPAA also established standard electronic transaction formats used in billing, such as the standardized claim and remittance transactions.
Why it matters for billing
Billing constantly touches PHI, so HIPAA compliance is part of every step — from how claims are transmitted to how staff handle records and how vendors are contracted. Strong safeguards protect patients and shield the practice from serious penalties.
Related terms
Terms that come up alongside HIPAA in the revenue cycle.
Billing that gets HIPAA right
EnVisionMD RCM handles eligibility, coding, documentation, denials and follow-up end to end — so the details behind terms like this one are managed for you, not left to chance.
Request a free billing reviewHIPAA — frequently asked questions
The privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), including how it is used, disclosed, and safeguarded electronically.
Billing handles PHI throughout and uses HIPAA-standard electronic transactions, so compliance applies across the revenue cycle.