What does HIPAA protect against regarding patient information?

The correct answer pertains specifically to HIPAA's primary purpose, which is to safeguard the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was enacted to establish standards for the protection of sensitive patient information.

One of the crucial components of HIPAA is its provision against unauthorized disclosures of PHI. This means that healthcare entities must implement stringent measures to prevent any accidental or intentional sharing of patient information without proper consent. This protection is essential for maintaining patient trust and ensuring that sensitive health information remains confidential.

As for the other options, while patient access to records is a feature of HIPAA that allows individuals to review and obtain copies of their medical records, it does not encapsulate the primary protective function of the legislation. The management of insurance plans and health care service costs are relevant to healthcare operations but are not directly tied to the privacy protections that HIPAA establishes for patient information.