What type of information is considered Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers specifically to any individually identifiable health information that is collected, maintained, or transmitted by a healthcare entity. This includes various types of information regarding a person's health status, treatment, and payment for healthcare services. Medical records fall under PHI because they contain details about a person's medical history, diagnoses, medications, and other personal health information that can identify an individual.

Other forms of information, such as social media profiles, financial records, and tax documents, do not typically contain health-related information and, therefore, are not classified as PHI. They may contain sensitive information, but they lack the direct connection to health care and medical history that characterizes PHI. Consequently, the focus on medical records being PHI is rooted in the regulations and laws established to protect individuals' health information under acts such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This regulation mandates strict adherence to the privacy and security of medical records, underscoring their status as a critical form of sensitive information.