Which of the following is classified as a health plan under HIPAA?

Medicare and Medicaid are classified as health plans under HIPAA because they are government-sponsored programs that provide health insurance coverage to specific populations. Medicare serves primarily individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities, while Medicaid is designed to assist low-income individuals and families in obtaining health coverage. Both programs establish and operate as payers of healthcare services, which aligns with the definition of health plans under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

In contrast, government hospitals, drug manufacturers, and health technology firms do not qualify as health plans. Government hospitals are more accurately categorized as healthcare providers rather than payers. Drug manufacturers typically produce medications and related products but do not provide direct health insurance coverage. Health technology firms develop products or services to improve healthcare delivery but do not function as health plans. This distinction is crucial for understanding the overall HIPAA landscape, which defines health plans as entities that provide or pay for the cost of medical care.