Define "ePHI."

The term "ePHI" stands for Electronic Protected Health Information. This refers specifically to any protected health information that is created, stored, transmitted, or received in an electronic format. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations, ePHI is subject to strict privacy and security requirements. This ensures that sensitive patient data is adequately protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration.

Understanding ePHI is crucial in the healthcare field, as it encompasses a wide range of patient information, including health records, payment history, and any other data that can identify an individual, when in electronic form. Healthcare organizations must implement various administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to comply with HIPAA standards regarding ePHI.

In contrast, other terms such as Emergency Public Health Information, Evaluative Patient Health Information, and Encrypted Personal Health Information do not accurately represent the legal definition and implications of ePHI as specified by the HIPAA regulations.