Which of the following is NOT considered PHI?

Which of the following is NOT considered PHI?

• A. Health information that is de-identified
• B. Medical records with patient names
• C. Billing information including patient details
• D. Treatment information connected to a patient

Answer: (A)

Health information that is de-identified is not considered Protected Health Information (PHI). De-identification involves removing any personal identifiers from health data, meaning the information can no longer be linked to an individual. This process makes the data anonymous, removing any possibility that the individual could be identified from that data. Consequently, since PHI is defined as individually identifiable health information that relates to a person's physical or mental health, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare, de-identified data falls outside this definition. In contrast, medical records with patient names, billing information including patient details, and treatment information connected to a patient all contain identifiable information that relates to health and healthcare, thereby qualifying as PHI under HIPAA regulations.

Health information that is de-identified is not considered Protected Health Information (PHI). De-identification involves removing any personal identifiers from health data, meaning the information can no longer be linked to an individual. This process makes the data anonymous, removing any possibility that the individual could be identified from that data. Consequently, since PHI is defined as individually identifiable health information that relates to a person's physical or mental health, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare, de-identified data falls outside this definition.

In contrast, medical records with patient names, billing information including patient details, and treatment information connected to a patient all contain identifiable information that relates to health and healthcare, thereby qualifying as PHI under HIPAA regulations.