They aren't just random. They give away specific information about your card and where it comes from. The first digit of your credit card number is the industry identifier. This tells you the industry of the credit card issuer. For example, airline industry cards begin with a 1 or a 2. Travel or entertainment cards, such as American Express and Diners Club cards, begin with a 3.
One of the most significant amendments to HIPAA by the HITECH Act is the expansion of the categories of entities subject to the 1996 law's privacy and security rules. Plans and health care clearinghouses are also affected by HITECH, along with their business associates and certain vendors of HIT.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is set of statutes designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the US health care system:or more about HIPAA and the HITECH Act, see these US Health and Human Services pages: 1  HIPAA Administrative Simplification Statute and Rules. 2  Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. 3  Summary of the HIPAA Security Rule. 4  HITECH Act Enforcement Interim Final Rule.