Which entities are classified as HIPAA covered entities?

The correct answer encompasses a range of organizations that work with protected health information and therefore fall under the category of HIPAA covered entities. In this context, covered entities include healthcare providers who transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with a HIPAA transaction, as well as health plans and healthcare clearinghouses.

Universities and training clinics offering healthcare services are classified as covered entities if they provide healthcare to patients and handle medical records. Mental health professionals also qualify, as they provide clinical services and manage patient health information. This answer accurately reflects the diversity of covered entities beyond just traditional medical facilities, illustrating how HIPAA’s applicability extends to various types of organizations that manage health information.

Other provided options do not accurately capture the breadth of entities covered by HIPAA. Only private hospitals may seem like a specific healthcare provider, but this oversight excludes many similar organizations. Insurance companies are only a part of the picture, and expressing them as "only" misses the collaboration required in healthcare. Finally, health care providers worldwide are not necessarily covered by HIPAA, as the law applies specifically to the United States and certain entities that operate within that jurisdiction.