Protected Health Information (PHI)
What does protected health information mean?
Protected Health Information (PHI) is any health-related data linked to an individual that is protected under HIPAA in the United States.
How does PHI work?
PHI includes details such as medical histories, lab results, billing information, or insurance records when tied to identifiers like names, dates of birth, or addresses. Both paper and electronic formats are included, and covered entities must safeguard it.
Why is PHI important?
PHI is one of the most sensitive types of personal data. Mishandling PHI can result in financial penalties, reputational damage, and harm to patients. HIPAA enforces strict privacy and security rules for PHI.
FAQS about protected health information (PHI)
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to general identifiers like name or SSN. PHI is health-specific data combined with identifiers.
No. Once all identifiers are removed, the information is no longer considered PHI.
Healthcare providers, insurers, and business associates handling PHI must comply with HIPAA.
HIPAA penalties can range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, up to $1.5 million annually, depending on severity.
No. HIPAA applies to U.S. healthcare entities, though similar protections exist globally.