Which entities are specifically covered under HIPAA regulations?

The correct answer highlights that HIPAA covers health care providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. These entities, often referred to as "covered entities," are specifically included under HIPAA regulations because they handle protected health information (PHI) in various ways.

Health care providers, such as doctors and clinics, engage in electronic transactions that involve patient data, thus requiring compliance with HIPAA to ensure the privacy and security of that information. Health plans, including insurance companies and government healthcare programs, also must safeguard PHI as they manage and pay for healthcare services. Healthcare clearinghouses, which process nonstandard health information received from a health care provider into a standard format, play a vital role in maintaining the flow of protected information while adhering to HIPAA obligations.

The other options do not accurately capture the scope of entities protected under HIPAA. For instance, while insurance companies are included as health plans, they are not defined separately as standalone covered entities unequally with healthcare providers or clearinghouses. Educational institutions and government agencies, while possibly handling certain health information, are governed more by FERPA and other regulations rather than HIPAA unless they qualify as covered entities. Lastly, the mention of only health care providers is too narrow, as it excludes the critical