PHI (Protected Health Information)

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any data within a medical record that can be linked to an individual and is involved in the provision of healthcare services. PHI includes a wide range of information, such as names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, medical records, insurance details, and other identifiers. This information is created, utilized, or disclosed during the delivery of healthcare services, whether for diagnosis, treatment, billing, or healthcare operations. PHI is governed by regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which mandates strict guidelines for the protection, confidentiality, and secure handling of this sensitive information to prevent unauthorized access and ensure patient privacy and trust in the healthcare system.