Which group of entities is primarily responsible for maintaining the security of electronic PHI?

The group primarily responsible for maintaining the security of electronic protected health information (PHI) is made up of covered entities and their business associates. Covered entities include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses that transmit any health information in electronic form. Business associates are individuals or entities that perform functions on behalf of or provide services to a covered entity that involves the use or disclosure of PHI.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule, these entities are required to implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI. This responsibility is essential to protect patient information from unauthorized access or breaches, ensuring that patients’ sensitive health data remains secure.

Other options listed do not have the same direct responsibility under HIPAA for safeguarding electronic PHI. For example, law enforcement agencies typically engage with health information only in specific circumstances, while the general public does not have specific obligations to protect PHI. Insurance regulators, while they oversee compliance within the insurance industry, do not handle or secure PHI directly. Thus, the correct focus on covered entities and their business associates reflects their direct role in protecting electronic PHI.