The federal law which safeguards Personal Health Information (PHI) is the health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Act of 1996 with rules regarding the security, privacy and transmission (electronically) of medical health data, was passed to improve the ease healthcare movement between healthcare providers has also added new limitations on PHI disclosure
The HIPAA restricts with whom, when, how and where PHI can be disclosed including physically (direct in person or writing) or electronically (online, over the phone)
