Final answer:
Employers and financial institutions are typically exempt from the HIPAA Security Rule unless they engage in functions that would make them healthcare providers, health plans, or healthcare clearinghouses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996, is designed to protect the privacy and security of certain health information. Under HIPAA, various entities are required to comply with the regulations, which include the Security Rule. This rule sets standards for protecting patient health information that is held or transferred in electronic form.
Out of the options provided:
- Healthcare providers that transmit health information in an electronic form in connection with transactions for which HHS has adopted standards are covered by the HIPAA Security Rule and are not exempt.
- Health insurance companies are also covered entities under HIPAA and are required to comply with the HIPAA standards, including the Security Rule.
- Employers, generally, are not covered by HIPAA unless they somehow operate as a healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse in carrying out their business activities.
- Financial institutions are generally not considered covered entities unless they also engage in activities that would make them a healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse.
Thus, the entities commonly exempt from the HIPAA Security Rule are c) Employers and d) Financial institutions, assuming they do not engage in any activities that would classify them as healthcare providers, health plans, or healthcare clearinghouses.