What does PHI encompass?

The correct answer encompasses all forms of protected health information (PHI), which includes oral and written health information in addition to electronic records. PHI is defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to include any individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium, whether it be electronic, paper, or oral.

This means that any information that can identify a patient and relates to their health condition, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare is considered PHI. This includes not only electronic health records but also conversations between providers about a patient, handwritten notes, or even verbal discussions regarding a patient’s health status.

In contrast, the other choices focus on narrower aspects of health information. Electronic records are just one part of PHI; health trends and statistics do not qualify as PHI because they generally do not identify individual patients; and financed and insured health records reference specific types of documentation rather than the broader category of health information that PHI represents. Therefore, the essence of PHI is its comprehensive nature, capturing a wide range of identifiable health-related information in all forms.