Which entities are required to comply with HIPAA regulations?

The requirement to comply with HIPAA regulations falls upon what are termed "covered entities." This includes healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically in connection with a HIPAA transaction, health plans that pay for healthcare services, and healthcare clearinghouses that process healthcare data.

These categories are designed to ensure that any organization handling sensitive health information adheres to strict privacy and security standards. By encompassing all three types of covered entities, HIPAA ensures a comprehensive approach to safeguarding protected health information (PHI) across the healthcare system.

In contrast, other options like only healthcare providers or insurance companies do not capture the full scope of HIPAA's applicability, as they exclude important entities like health plans and healthcare clearinghouses. This broader definition is crucial for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive patient data in various contexts.