Final answer:
Entities that must adhere to HIPAA guidelines include insurance companies, healthcare providers, and governmental health agencies, all of whom are required to keep patient information confidential and protect against unauthorized release of identifiable health information.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medical assistant should recognize that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines must be adhered to by various entities involved in the healthcare sector. Specifically, these entities include:
- Insurance companies that deal with personal health information
- Healthcare providers like doctors, clinics, and hospitals
- Governmental agencies related to health, such as the Department of Health and Social Services
According to HIPAA, these organizations are mandated to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and protect against unauthorized release of individually identifiable health information, with the aim of respecting patient privacy and dignity. Healthcare entities are responsible for ensuring that the sharing of digital records, contacting patients, and sharing genetic information adhere to these privacy rules.