What is the main purpose of HIPAA regulations?

The main purpose of HIPAA regulations is to protect the privacy and security of patients' health information. HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was specifically enacted to address the need for confidentiality within the healthcare system. It sets national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information, ensuring that patients have control over who can access their personal medical data.

Under HIPAA, healthcare providers are required to implement safeguards that protect the integrity and confidentiality of patient information. This includes administrative, physical, and technical measures to secure access to health records. The regulations also grant patients certain rights regarding their health information, such as the right to access their records and request corrections.

The other options suggest objectives that do not align with HIPAA's fundamental purpose. Increasing healthcare costs would contradict the act's intention, as protecting patient information often leads to more efficient and cost-effective care. Ensuring healthcare provider profitability is not a goal of HIPAA; rather, the focus is on patient protection. Lastly, improving hospital marketing strategies does not relate to patient privacy and security, which is at the heart of HIPAA’s mission.