What can be considered a part of protected health information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) encompasses any individually identifiable health information that is held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associates, in any form or medium. This includes any information that can be used to identify a patient and relates to their health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare.

A patient’s full name and contact information falls squarely within this definition. This information is easily identifiable and can directly link back to an individual, making it sensitive in nature. It is protected under HIPAA regulations, which mandate strict privacy and security standards for handling such information.

Publicly available health statistics and generic health tips are not considered PHI because they do not reference specific individuals and are therefore not identifiable information. Health services offered in a clinic may also not qualify as PHI on their own, as they do not provide personal details about particular patients but rather refer to the general services available. Thus, the only choice that explicitly contains identifiable information directly related to a patient is the patient’s full name and contact information.