What type of information does HIPAA specifically address?

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, specifically addresses health-related information, which includes any identifiable information about an individual's health status, provisions of healthcare, or payment for healthcare services. This encompasses a wide range of data, from medical records and billing information to health insurance details. The focus of HIPAA is to ensure patient privacy and the security of health information, establishing regulations for healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates regarding how they handle protected health information (PHI). Therefore, choice B is the correct answer as it directly relates to the intent and scope of HIPAA, which is to protect health-related information.

Other choices, such as academic performance, financial records, or employment details, fall outside the purview of HIPAA and are governed by other regulations or laws, such as FERPA for educational records and various financial and labor laws for the respective other areas.