What level of legislation is HIPAA categorized as?

HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is categorized as federal legislation because it was enacted by the United States Congress. This law establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, ensuring that patients’ medical records and other identifiable health information are properly safeguarded.

Since HIPAA is a federal law, it supersedes state laws that may offer less protection but allows for states to impose stricter regulations if they choose. This national framework is crucial for maintaining consistent standards of privacy and security across the healthcare system throughout the country, rather than having a patchwork of different laws at state or local levels. Understanding this categorization is important for recognizing the scope and authority of HIPAA in the realm of health information privacy and security.