Protected Health Information

Excerpt

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protected health information (PHI) is any health information that can identify an individual that is in possession of or transmitted by a "covered entity" or its business associates that relates to a patient's past, present, or future health. This data includes demographic information. It also includes but is not limited to, electronic and paper transmission. The term "covered entity" refers to, but is not limited to, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and hospitals. PHI includes demographic identifiers in medical records, such as names, phone numbers, and emails, as well as biometric information, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, genetic information, and facial images.