What legislation primarily addresses medical identity theft and patient privacy?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the primary legislation that specifically addresses medical identity theft and patient privacy. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA provides a set of national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. The privacy rule established under HIPAA outlines how healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities must handle sensitive patient information, ensuring that patients' data is kept confidential and secure against unauthorized access.

Additionally, HIPAA has provisions that help combat medical identity theft by requiring healthcare organizations to implement safeguards and practices that protect patient information. This includes guidelines for the electronic exchange of health information and mandates for reporting breaches of patient data. As a result, HIPAA plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of patient information in the healthcare system, which is essential for preserving patient trust and confidentiality.

Other legislation, while important in various contexts, does not carry the same direct focus on medical identity theft and the privacy protections that HIPAA provides. For example, while the Affordable Care Act includes provisions to improve healthcare access and affordability, its primary focus is on insurance coverage rather than on privacy or identity theft specifically.