What is an example of Protected Health Information?

Protected Health Information (PHI) encompasses a wide array of personal health information that can be used to identify an individual and is therefore subject to legal privacy protections under regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

The definition of PHI includes any health information that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual, the provision of health care to an individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual.

The patient's medical history, current medications, and social security number all fall under this definition. Each of these pieces of information can be tied back to an individual and can provide insights into their health care and personal identification. Therefore, all of these examples collectively represent Protected Health Information, making the option that encompasses all of them the most comprehensive and accurate choice.