Which rule governs the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI)?

The Privacy Rule is the correct answer because it specifically addresses the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) by covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. This rule establishes standards for protecting PHI while allowing for necessary disclosures to carry out healthcare operations, ensure patient care, and adhere to public health guidelines.

The Privacy Rule also emphasizes patients' rights, giving them the ability to access their health information, request corrections, and receive notice of how their information may be used and disclosed. In contrast, the Security Rule focuses on safeguarding electronic PHI through administrative, physical, and technical safeguards but does not directly govern the rules of use and disclosure. Other options, like the Compliance Rule and the Data Protection Rule, do not exist under HIPAA and are not applicable in this context. Therefore, the Privacy Rule is fundamentally designed to protect individuals' health information while ensuring it can still be utilized for essential healthcare purposes.