---
title: "What Is HIPAA? Dental Practice Glossary | Copeland Consulting Services"
description: "HIPAA is the federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information held by health plans and by providers who bill electronically."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Compliance and risk

# HIPAA

HIPAA is the federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information held by health plans and by providers who bill electronically.

HHS says the HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other individually identifiable health information. It applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers that conduct certain transactions electronically. A dental office that conducts those transactions electronically is covered.

HIPAA has several rules. The [HIPAA Security Rule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa-security-rule) covers electronic information. The Breach Notification Rule covers what to do after a [data breach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/data-breach). Vendors that handle patient data usually need a [business associate agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/business-associate-agreement).

HIPAA is a legal topic. Ask an attorney or a qualified compliance adviser how it applies to your office.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [HIPAA Security Rule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa-security-rule)
-   [Business associate agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/business-associate-agreement)
-   [Data breach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/data-breach)
-   [Compliance checklist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/compliance-checklist)

## Sources

1.  [HHS: The HIPAA Privacy Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)