Which system does HIPAA not apply to?

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, primarily concerns the protection of patient health information, specifically when it falls under the category of protected health information (PHI). The act applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers who transmit PHI electronically, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.

The correct choice pertains to providers maintaining non-electronic client records, as HIPAA does not govern these records. Compliance with HIPAA is specifically focused on the electronic transmission or sharing of patient information and the handling of PHI in electronic formats. Therefore, if a provider is solely maintaining records in a non-electronic format, they are not bound by HIPAA regulations.

Understanding this context emphasizes the significant role electronic data plays in HIPAA's scope. Entities and providers operating with non-electronic records are primarily subject to state laws and professional ethical standards rather than HIPAA's federal guidelines. This distinction is crucial for recognizing the limitations of HIPAA's applicability.