The differences between HIIPA and the privacy act of 1974 occur because of the specificity of HIIPA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIIPA) Act of 1996 applies to health information created and maintained by the providers of healthcare who engage in some kind of electronic transactions, healthcare clearinghouses and in health plans. The act provides that standards for the protection of personal health information or the protected health information. The act has standardized the exchange of electronic health information.