1. Attention given to individuals or communities by representatives of the health services for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, monitoring, or restoring health. The phrase health care has the intent of a broader scope of meaning when compared with the phrase medical care . When one hears medical care, it infers treatment by or under the supervision of a physician. 2. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), care, services, or supplies related to the health of an individual. This includes preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, or palliative care, and counseling, service, assessment, or procedure involving physical or mental conditions, or functional status. It also involves the sale or dispensing of a drug, device, equipment, or other item relating to a prescription.