The HIPAA security rule establishes standards for which type of health information?

The HIPAA security rule specifically sets standards for the protection of electronic health information. This rule was established to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic health data, which is particularly susceptible to security risks due to its digital nature. It outlines the necessary safeguards that covered entities, such as healthcare providers and insurance companies, must implement to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI) from unauthorized access, destruction, or alteration.

In contrast, the other types of health information mentioned—paper, verbal, and visual—are not governed by the HIPAA security rule but are instead addressed under different provisions of HIPAA. Paper records are subject to the HIPAA privacy rule, while verbal health information can be protected under the same privacy provisions when it pertains to audio communication of health information. Visual health information, though important, is also categorized under HIPAA privacy provisions concerning how that information is handled and shared. Thus, focusing on electronic health information aligns directly with the emphasis of the HIPAA security rule.