Which of the following is considered a PHI identifier?

The correct answer is the individual's name, as it is one of the most straightforward and widely recognized identifiers of protected health information (PHI). Under HIPAA, any information that can be used to identify an individual, and that relates to their health status, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare, is considered PHI. A name directly connects an individual to their health information, making it a primary identifier.

Job titles, while they can provide context about a person's professional identity, do not inherently reveal health information and are not classified as PHI identifiers under HIPAA. Similarly, employer names and city of residence may serve to identify individuals in broader contexts but do not directly connect to their health information as personal identifiers in the same way that names do. Therefore, while job titles, employer names, and city of residence may offer indirect links or add context, they do not fulfill the criteria of a PHI identifier as directly as a name does.