What does the Privacy Rule under HIPAA primarily aim to ensure?

The Privacy Rule under HIPAA primarily aims to ensure that patients' health information remains private. This rule was established to safeguard the confidentiality of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It sets standards for how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handle sensitive patient information and limits the circumstances under which this information can be disclosed without the patient's permission.

By prioritizing privacy, the rule aims to protect patients from unauthorized access to their health information, thus fostering trust in the healthcare system. Ensuring privacy is crucial for maintaining the integrity of patient-provider relationships and encouraging individuals to seek necessary medical care without fear of their personal health information being disclosed inappropriately.