Final answer:
HIPPA is a law that protects patient health information, PHI refers to individually identifiable health information, and CEs and BAs have different responsibilities under HIPPA regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A). HIPPA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) is a law that was passed in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of patient health information. It sets standards for the storage, sharing, and transmission of healthcare data.
B). PHI: Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any individually identifiable health information that is held or transmitted by a covered entity. This includes information such as medical records, treatment plans, and billing records.
C). Covered Entity (CE) vs Business Associate (BA): A Covered Entity (CE) is any healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse that transmits health information electronically. They are directly responsible for complying with HIPPA regulations. On the other hand, a Business Associate (BA) is an individual or organization that works with a covered entity and has access to PHI. BAs must also comply with HIPPA regulations, but their responsibilities are different from those of the covered entity.