What is the primary intent of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

The primary intent of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is to protect the privacy of patients' medical records. HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information and ensures that individuals have the right to understand and control how their personal health information is used and disclosed. This includes various provisions designed to safeguard personal health information, restrict unauthorized access, and provide a framework for sharing information while ensuring confidentiality.

Understanding and protecting patient privacy is crucial, especially given the increasing reliance on electronic health records and technology in healthcare. By focusing on privacy protection, HIPAA helps to foster a trustful relationship between patients and healthcare providers, encouraging patients to seek care without fear of unauthorized disclosure of their health information.

While there are aspects of HIPAA that relate to insurance portability and pre-existing conditions, the fundamental purpose centers around safeguarding the privacy of medical records, making option B the correct choice.