Which act relates to the privacy and security of health information during electronic transactions?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the legislation that specifically addresses the privacy and security of health information during electronic transactions. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA established national standards for electronic healthcare transactions and the protection of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. This act mandates that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities that handle health information ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of electronic health data, thus setting requirements for safeguarding patient privacy.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of health care and employment. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) focuses on preventing discrimination based on disability, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversees the nation’s major healthcare programs, primarily Medicare and Medicaid, but does not specifically govern the privacy of health information in electronic transactions like HIPAA does.