Direct Care Worker (DCW) Practice Test - Comprehensive Prep & Study Guide

The correct answer is that HIPAA became law in 1996. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information. It specifically aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system by standardizing the electronic exchange of administrative and financial data. This law set forth specific regulations that healthcare providers and agencies must adhere to in order to safeguard patient information, a fundamental aspect of patient rights and care delivered by direct care workers. The significance of 1996 in this context highlights a pivotal moment when the federal government recognized the need for comprehensive privacy regulations in the healthcare sector.