Which group of individuals does the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) affect?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a comprehensive federal law that establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. The correct answer reflects that HIPAA affects any individual who handles patient information, not limited to a specific profession or role.

This includes healthcare providers, insurance companies, and their employees, as well as any other entities that may access or handle patient data, such as administrative staff and medical researchers. Due to the wide-reaching implications of HIPAA, it applies to a broad spectrum of individuals in the healthcare system to ensure the confidentiality and security of patient information across various settings. By encompassing everyone who has access to this information, HIPAA aims to safeguard patient privacy comprehensively.