Does HIPAA apply to individuals?

Question

Does HIPAA privacy protection apply to an individual who has no relation to the healthcare field?

For example, my neighbor drops his prescription pill bottle on the sidewalk outside his house. I pick it up and return it. Would me telling someone else about his prescription be a HIPAA violation or just a jerk move?

Answer 1

It would merely be a "jerk move".

HIPAA only applies to "covered entities":

1. Healthcare Providers
2. Health Plans
3. Healthcare Clearing Houses (i.e. Paying for your health care)
4. Business Associates of the Above)

Source: CDC page on HIPAA