Under federal law, what does HIPAA require regarding medical information?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is designed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals' medical information. Under federal law, HIPAA requires that healthcare providers and organizations ensure that sensitive patient health information is kept private and secure. This means that such information should not be disclosed without the patient's consent, except in specific circumstances outlined by HIPAA.

The emphasis on privacy is crucial for maintaining trust in the healthcare system and protecting patients' rights. Medical records contain highly sensitive information, and HIPAA sets stringent standards for how this information should be handled, including limiting who can access it and under what conditions. Therefore, the requirement for medical information to remain private and confidential aligns directly with the core purpose of HIPAA.

The other options do not accurately reflect the requirements of HIPAA. Public sharing or free disclosure to family without consent contradicts the privacy protections HIPAA is meant to enforce, and while HIPAA provides guidelines around electronic health records, it does not mandate that all medical information must be stored electronically.