What does PHI stand for?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual and relates to their health status, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), PHI is safeguarded to ensure individuals’ privacy and rights regarding their medical information.

PHI encompasses a wide range of identifiers, including names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The protection afforded to PHI is crucial for maintaining patient confidentiality and trust within the healthcare system.

The other options presented do not accurately represent the term used in HIPAA. Public Health Information typically pertains to data related to the health of populations and is not exclusive to individual patient data. Patient Health Identifier suggests an identification system rather than the overarching concept of health information protection. Personal Health Insurance relates to coverage and payment aspects but does not address the broader context of protecting patient health information as established by HIPAA.