HIPAA is a Federal mandate to reform the health care industry by setting minimum standards for patient medical privacy, standardizing electronic transactions, and defining security requirements for information technology and physical environments.

The regulations focus primarily on protected health information (PHI), defined as individually identifiable health information transmitted or maintained in any form or medium, by a covered entity.

The OC Internal Audit Department is designated as a covered health care component within the County hybrid entity and must comply with HIPAA regulations. Please visit the HIPAA website for additional information.