Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Health Information Privacy
  HIPAA for Individuals
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Filing a Complaint
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HIPAA for Professionals
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Newsroom

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              HIPAA Home
                              HIPAA for Individuals
                              HIPAA FAQs for Individuals
                              351-How does the HIPAA Privacy Rule affect my rights under the Federal Privacy Act


    

    

    Navigate to:
  HIPAA for Individuals
                                            
            
            HIPAA & Reproductive Health
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Your Rights Under HIPAA
                          
            
            Your Medical Records
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Employers and Health Information in the Workplace
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Personal Representatives
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Family Members and Friends
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Court Orders and Subpoenas
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Notice of Privacy Practices
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Right to Access
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HIV and HIPAA
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      FAQsText resize icon

                    




How does the HIPAA Privacy Rule affect my rights under the Federal Privacy Act?








  
  
    

  
      





Answer:

The Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S. Department of Justice) protects personal information about individuals held by the Federal government. Covered entities that are Federal agencies or Federal contractors that maintain records that are covered by the Privacy Act not only must obey the Privacy Rule’s requirements, but also must comply with the Privacy Act.

Learn more about health information privacy.

Date Created: 12/20/2002
Last Updated: 09/15/2017

                    
  


Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Content last reviewed February 6, 2023Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​