What does the Privacy Rule under HIPAA determine?

The Privacy Rule under HIPAA primarily establishes guidelines regarding the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). It outlines specific circumstances under which PHI may be used or disclosed, focusing on the need to protect individuals' privacy while allowing for necessary access to healthcare information.

In essence, the Privacy Rule delineates who can share this information, with whom it can be shared, and the conditions that must be met for such sharing to take place. This ensures that individuals' medical information is handled in a way that respects their privacy and adheres to legal standards.

This understanding is crucial because it reflects the balance HIPAA seeks to achieve between protecting patient information and allowing healthcare providers to access necessary data for treatment, billing, and operational purposes.