This document provides an overview of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It discusses the background and objectives of HIPAA in ensuring privacy of health information. It describes the key aspects of HIPAA including the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and definitions of protected health information. It also outlines enforcement measures for non-compliance and additional regulations like HITECH that have expanded HIPAA's requirements. Challenges of ensuring HIPAA compliance are discussed as well.