Which entities are covered by HIPAA regulations?

The correct response highlights that HIPAA regulations apply to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, collectively known as covered entities. These are the organizations that handle protected health information (PHI) and are responsible for maintaining its confidentiality and security.

Healthcare providers include anyone who provides medical services, whether they are individuals like doctors and nurses or entities like hospitals and clinics. Health plans encompass insurance companies, including both private insurers and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Healthcare clearinghouses act as intermediaries that facilitate the processing and transmission of health information.

The distinction between these categories is crucial because HIPAA sets specific obligations and standards that these entities must follow to ensure patient privacy and secure PHI. By including providers, plans, and clearinghouses, the regulation seeks to protect the rights of patients and maintain the integrity of health information across the healthcare system.

The other choices do not encompass the full scope of HIPAA regulations. The focus on only health insurance organizations or medical clearinghouses neglects the inclusive nature of health care providers in the definition. Additionally, patients and their families are not classified as covered entities under HIPAA but are instead the individuals whose information is protected.