What is considered protected health information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) encompasses any information related to an individual's health status, the provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare services that can be used to identify that individual. This definition includes a wide range of data, such as medical records, treatment details, and billing information, as long as the information can be linked back to a specific person. The intent behind this classification is to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ health information in accordance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.

In contrast, public health information does not specifically relate to individuals, and therefore does not qualify as PHI. Information collected only in hospitals may constitute PHI, but not exclusively, since health data can be collected in various other healthcare settings. Fully de-identified information lacks any identifiers that would link it back to an individual and is not subject to the same restrictions as PHI. Thus, understanding that PHI can include any relevant health information related to an identifiable person is essential for compliance with HIPAA regulations.