What information is not considered PHI?

Personal Health Information (PHI) is defined by HIPAA as any information that relates to an individual's health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that can be linked to a specific individual. The correct answer is based on the fact that for information to be classified as PHI, it must have the ability to identify an individual.

In this context, information that does not identify an individual and that cannot be used to identify someone does not fall under the category of PHI. This type of information is typically considered de-identified data, which is exempt from HIPAA regulations because it poses no risk to patient privacy or confidentiality. By contrast, information that can identify an individual or relates to their treatment is clearly considered PHI, as it ties back to a specific person and their healthcare details. Information shared between covered entities can also include PHI, as it is the very essence of the data being protected under HIPAA regulations.