Which statement defines a Covered Entity under HIPAA?

Which statement defines a Covered Entity under HIPAA?

• A. An entity that transmits health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction covered by HIPAA
• B. A patient
• C. A dental supplier
• D. A clinic that uses paper records

Answer: (A)

Under HIPAA, a Covered Entity is an organization that electronically transmits protected health information (PHI) in connection with a HIPAA-covered transaction. The statement is correct because it directly describes an entity that sends PHI in electronic form as part of such a transaction, which is the defining feature of a Covered Entity. The other options don’t fit as well: a patient is an individual, not a Covered Entity; a dental supplier is typically discussed as a business associate when handling PHI under contract with a Covered Entity; a clinic that uses paper records isn’t engaging in electronic PHI transmission in a HIPAA-covered transaction, so it doesn’t meet the defining criterion.

Under HIPAA, a Covered Entity is an organization that electronically transmits protected health information (PHI) in connection with a HIPAA-covered transaction. The statement is correct because it directly describes an entity that sends PHI in electronic form as part of such a transaction, which is the defining feature of a Covered Entity.

The other options don’t fit as well: a patient is an individual, not a Covered Entity; a dental supplier is typically discussed as a business associate when handling PHI under contract with a Covered Entity; a clinic that uses paper records isn’t engaging in electronic PHI transmission in a HIPAA-covered transaction, so it doesn’t meet the defining criterion.