Which act was established in 1996 concerning patient privacy?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, was enacted in 1996 and is critical for establishing safeguards to protect patient privacy and confidential health information. HIPAA's primary aim is to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system by standardizing electronic health transactions while simultaneously ensuring the privacy and security of individuals' medical records and other personal health information.

This act is foundational in the realm of healthcare data management, as it imposes strict regulations on how healthcare providers, insurers, and other entities handle patient information. The privacy rule under HIPAA ensures that patients have rights over their health information, including the ability to access their records and request corrections, which are vital for maintaining patient trust and confidentiality in healthcare.

In contrast, the other acts mentioned focus on different areas: FERPA relates to educational privacy, the HITECH Act expands aspects of HIPAA in response to health information technology advancements, and CARES is associated with emergency response and public health initiatives rather than direct patient privacy protections. Thus, HIPAA is the most relevant legislation concerning patient privacy established in 1996.