Which group is not considered one of the three covered entities under HIPAA?

The group that is not considered one of the three covered entities under HIPAA is patients. Covered entities under HIPAA include healthcare providers, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare plans.

Healthcare providers are those who provide medical or health services and transmit any health information in electronic form. Healthcare clearinghouses process health information, such as billing and claims, and convert it into a standard format for easy processing and sharing. Healthcare plans are organizations that provide or pay for the cost of health care. These entities are subject to HIPAA regulations regarding the protection of patient information.

Patients, on the other hand, are individuals receiving the services provided by covered entities. While patients have rights under HIPAA concerning their medical records and personal health information, they do not fall into the category of covered entities. Instead, they are the individuals whose information is protected by HIPAA regulations. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping how HIPAA operates and who is responsible for compliance with its regulations.