What is Personal Health Information (PHI) 

Personal Health Information (PHI) is a term used in the context of healthcare privacy laws, particularly under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). PHI refers to any information that is created, received, stored, or transmitted by healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, or their business associates, and that relates to an individual’s health. Specifically, PHI includes: 

• Health Information: 
  • Any information regarding an individual’s past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition. 
  • Information about the provision of healthcare to the individual. 
  • Information about the payment for the provision of healthcare to the individual. 
• Individually Identifiable Information:
  • Includes details such as the individual’s name, address, birth date, Social Security number, and other data that can identify the individual.
• Forms of PHI: 
  • PHI can exist in any form, including electronic, paper, or oral formats. 
• Protected under HIPAA: 
  • PHI is subject to strict regulations under HIPAA, which require healthcare entities and their business associates to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of PHI. 
  • Unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of PHI can lead to significant legal penalties.