What does PHI stand for?

The term PHI stands for Protected Health Information. This designation is crucial in the context of healthcare compliance and privacy regulations, particularly as regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Protected Health Information encompasses any individually identifiable health information that is held or transmitted by a covered entity or business associate, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The protection offered under HIPAA is aimed at safeguarding the privacy and security of patients' medical records and other personal health information.

Understanding the distinction is vital for compliance professionals because it sets the framework for how healthcare entities must handle patient information to ensure confidentiality and adhere to legal requirements. The other terms, while related to health information, do not encapsulate the same legal protections that PHI does under HIPAA regulations.