Protected Health Information (PHI) pertains to data that can be used to do what?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any individually identifiable health information that is maintained or transmitted by a covered entity. This information can be used to identify an individual and their medical history, which includes details such as names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and any health-related data associated with that individual. The essence of PHI is its capacity to link personal health information directly to a specific individual, making it crucial for ensuring the privacy and protection of patients' medical information.

While evaluating healthcare facilities, ensuring patient confidentiality, and processing insurance claims are important aspects of healthcare management, they do not specifically define what PHI is in the same way that identifying a person's medical history does.