What is defined as "protected health information" (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) is defined as individually identifiable health or mental health information that is held by covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. This definition aligns with the regulations established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which aims to safeguard sensitive patient information from unauthorized disclosure.

PHI encompasses a wide range of data, including but not limited to patient names, medical records, health histories, treatment information, and billing details that can be used to identify an individual. This level of specificity ensures that the privacy of individuals is upheld while allowing necessary information to be available for healthcare services.

The other options do not meet the stringent criteria set for PHI. For instance, information shared with insurers may or may not be identifiable or sufficiently specific to be deemed protected. General health statistics do not include individually identifiable information and thus fall outside the PHI definition. Lastly, information from workplace wellness programs may not necessarily be classified as PHI unless it directly relates to identifiable health information in the context of covered entities.