Which entity is NOT considered a covered entity under HIPAA?

Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), the term "covered entity" refers to organizations that are required to comply with HIPAA regulations because they handle protected health information (PHI). Covered entities include health care providers who transmit health information electronically, health plans (insurance providers), and healthcare clearinghouses that process health information.

A patient, while integral to the healthcare process, is not an organization or entity that handles or transmits health information on behalf of others. Instead, patients are individuals who receive and engage with health care services. They are the subjects of the information that healthcare providers manage but do not themselves fall under the definitions of covered entities as described by HIPAA regulations. This distinction clarifies why the patient is not considered a covered entity and helps in understanding the framework of HIPAA compliance.