Which group is primarily responsible for compliance with HIPAA regulations?

The group primarily responsible for compliance with HIPAA regulations includes healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. This is due to their role in handling protected health information (PHI), which is the primary focus of HIPAA's privacy and security provisions.

Healthcare providers, such as doctors and hospitals, are directly involved in patient care and possess sensitive patient information. Health plans, including insurance companies, manage patients' health records and claims, while clearinghouses process health information between the providers and payers. Together, these entities are deemed "covered entities" under HIPAA and are mandated to implement necessary safeguards to protect the privacy and security of patient data.

Other groups mentioned, such as health insurers and government departments, might engage with HIPAA in certain capacities, but they do not encompass the full scope of responsibilities that healthcare providers, plans, and clearinghouses must uphold to ensure compliance. Non-profit organizations, unless they fall within the aforementioned categories, typically do not bear direct responsibility for HIPAA compliance.