What type of information is covered by HIPAA?

The correct answer encompasses critical elements of healthcare privacy regulations established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA primarily governs the protection of an individual's medical information, which includes billing details and medical records. This regulation sets standards for how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handle and protect sensitive patient information to ensure confidentiality and prevent unauthorized access.

Billing information is essential in healthcare because it pertains to the financial transactions and payment processes for services rendered to patients. Medical records contain a detailed account of an individual's health history, diagnoses, treatments, and any other relevant medical data. Both types of information are explicitly protected under HIPAA, reflecting the law's primary focus on safeguarding personal health information.

In contrast, school attendance records, general employment records, and public safety records do not fall under HIPAA's jurisdiction and are often subject to different regulations regarding privacy and confidentiality. Therefore, understanding that HIPAA specifically addresses the protection of health-related information clarifies why billing information and medical records are the correct focus of this question.