What is the purpose of the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)?

The Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) serves primarily to inform patients about their rights concerning Protected Health Information (PHI). It outlines how their health information may be used and disclosed by a covered entity, which includes health care providers, health plans, and other entities involved in the healthcare system. The NPP communicates essential details such as patients’ rights to access their medical records, request amendments, receive an accounting of disclosures, and the right to file a complaint if they believe their privacy rights have been violated. This transparency is critical to building trust and ensuring patients are aware of how their sensitive information will be handled.

While contact information for legal inquiries, organizational mission statements, and billing procedures may be important pieces of information within the healthcare context, they do not capture the fundamental purpose of the NPP, which is to specifically address patient privacy rights and the management of their personal health information. The focus of the NPP is on educating patients about their privacy rights rather than operational details or organizational objectives.