Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a type of covered entity under HIPAA?

1. Health care providers

2. Health plans

3. Health care clearinghouses

4. Insurance agents

The correct answer is: Insurance agents

The classification of covered entities under HIPAA is critical for understanding who is subject to its regulations regarding privacy and security of health information. In this context, health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses are all explicitly defined as covered entities under HIPAA. Health care providers include any individual or organization that provides medical or health services, while health plans refer to any type of insurance plan that provides or pays for the cost of medical care. Health care clearinghouses act as intermediaries that process health information between different parties and are also classified under HIPAA. Insurance agents, on the other hand, are not classified as covered entities. They primarily serve as intermediaries who assist consumers in purchasing insurance policies, but they do not themselves provide health care or handle health information in the same way that the other covered entities do. Therefore, insurance agents do not have the same obligations under HIPAA to protect patient health information. Understanding these classifications is crucial for compliance with HIPAA regulations and ensuring that all necessary entities adhere to the established privacy and security standards concerning protected health information (PHI).