The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 which is otherwise known in common circles as HIPAA has had an impact on people working in the field of healthcare, medical insurance companies and patients who are receiving medical treatment. This Act has been implemented keeping in mind the welfare of the patient and protecting their health insurance when they lose their jobs or when they change their jobs as well as protecting the privacy of the medical information of patients. Frauds in the field of medical insurance also get drastically reduced in this manner. One of the main advantages of HIPAA is that patients have become more aware of their rights. Whenever a patient goes to a office of a doctor, clinic, hospital or counseling center, he should be given a copy off the policies which come under HIPAA and they should sign a statement stating that they have either read all the rules and policies or that they have not consciously not taken note of the new rules. Patients should be well aware of their rights when it comes to their medical records. Anyone who has access to their medical information should also be aware of their medical information ...