HIPAA of 1996 focuses on privacy of what type of information?

• A. Education records
• B. Health information
• C. Financial data
• D. Criminal records

Answer: (B)

HIPAA focuses on the privacy of health information. The Privacy Rule protects individually identifiable health information, known as protected health information (PHI), that is created, received, or maintained by covered entities and their business associates. PHI covers details about someone’s health status, health care provided, and payments for care when the information can identify the person, and it requires safeguards and patient rights around use and disclosure.

In a school context, education records are covered by FERPA, not HIPAA, and financial or criminal records are not the primary focus of HIPAA.