The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 added which offenses to the federal criminal code?

• A. Committing fraud against health care benefit programs
• B. Theft or embezzlement in connection with health care
• C. False statements relating to health care fraud
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

HIPAA expanded the federal criminal code to strengthen enforcement against health care fraud and abuse. It added explicit crimes in three areas: fraud against health care benefit programs, theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, and false statements relating to health care fraud. The law’s goal is to protect programs like Medicare and Medicaid and deter schemes that misuse funds or resources. Since all three types of offenses were enacted under HIPAA, selecting the option that includes every category is the best choice.