Guidance for Families on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Most consumers want their personal health information to remain private.

The Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) established national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and health information. This project helped consumers and professionals understand the impact of this regulation on behavioral health services.

The project team gathered feedback from experts and consumers on effective messaging and dissemination for various target audiences. This included convening an expert panel, conducting an environmental scan, and developing educational materials and a dissemination plan. The results were used to communicate vital information to consumers and families, providers, and state and local health departments.