This document discusses the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA developed regulations to protect individuals' private medical records. It restricts sharing of patient information and changed administrative and security processes in healthcare. HIPAA training is important for covered entities like providers, IT companies, and businesses working with healthcare records. The rules became effective on April 14, 2001, though small health plans had until 2004 to fully comply.