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.
HIPAA.com has received from its readers requests for information on topics related to HIPAA Administrative Simplification Privacy and Security Rules and to updates to those rules reflected in the HITECH Act provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009.