Which entities are mandated to comply with HIPAA regulations?

Health care providers and health plans are mandated to comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations because they are considered "covered entities." Covered entities are defined under HIPAA as healthcare providers who transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with a HIPAA transaction, health plans that provide or pay for health care, and healthcare clearinghouses that process health information.

This regulation aims to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information, ensuring that sensitive patient data is handled appropriately and maintained confidentially. The compliance requirements include safeguards for electronic health records, ensuring that individuals' medical information is accessed only by authorized personnel and is shared only under specific circumstances defined by the law.

The other options, such as educators, law enforcement agencies, municipal offices, and employers, may interact with health information in various contexts but are not classified as covered entities under HIPAA, and therefore do not have the same compliance obligations.