Which of the following is considered "protected health information" under HIPAA?

The correct answer, diagnostic data, is considered "protected health information" (PHI) under HIPAA because it relates specifically to an individual's health status, medical history, or treatment. HIPAA defines PHI as any information about health status, provision of healthcare, or healthcare payment that can be tied to an individual. Diagnostic data includes details about medical conditions, diseases, and the results of healthcare procedures or tests, making it sensitive and protected under the law.

While social security numbers are sensitive information and may require protection under other regulations, they do not directly pertain to health status or healthcare, so they do not qualify as PHI under HIPAA alone. Similarly, names of students and academic transcripts, although they involve personal data, are primarily educational records governed by FERPA rather than health information subject to HIPAA protections. Therefore, the emphasis on diagnostic data aligns directly with HIPAA's scope of protecting health information.