What does HIPAA's Privacy Rule primarily protect?

HIPAA's Privacy Rule primarily protects patients' information from unauthorized access. This rule establishes national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI). The core objective is to ensure that such information is kept confidential and secure, giving patients control over how their health data is used and disclosed.

By implementing guidelines that restrict who can access and share PHI, the Privacy Rule aims to safeguard patients' personal health information in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and insurance agencies. This protective framework is essential for maintaining patient trust and confidentiality in the healthcare system.

Other options focus on different aspects of healthcare management but do not directly align with the primary focus of the Privacy Rule. While employment records, electronic transaction standards, and insurance claims processing are relevant to HIPAA and healthcare operations, they do not specifically address the core mission of protecting patient information from unauthorized access.