American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Who enforces the HIPAA privacy rule?

1. Office of Civil Rights

2. Health Information Management Association

3. Federal Trade Commission

4. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The correct answer is: Office of Civil Rights

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is tasked with enforcing the HIPAA privacy rule. This office falls under the Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for ensuring that health care providers, health plans, and other entities that handle patient health information comply with the regulations set forth in HIPAA. The OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and offers guidance to assist entities in understanding and adhering to the privacy rule. Understanding the role of the OCR is crucial for anyone working in healthcare or managing health information, as it underscores the importance of patient privacy and the legal obligations of healthcare professionals to protect sensitive information. The other entities listed lack the specific authority or role designated for the enforcement of HIPAA regulations: the Health Information Management Association focuses more on professional education and advocacy, the Federal Trade Commission primarily addresses consumer protection in commerce, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversee healthcare programs but do not have direct enforcement authority for HIPAA privacy and security rules.