What does Protected Health Information include?

Protected Health Information (PHI) encompasses a wide range of data that can identify an individual and relates to their health status or healthcare services. This includes any information concerning an individual's physical or mental health, treatment history, or healthcare services received from healthcare providers.

The definition of PHI is critical in the context of healthcare regulations, specifically under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which aims to protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information. This regulation ensures that any health-related information, whether it pertains to a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical record, qualifies as PHI, provided it contains identifiable information about the individual.

The other options, while potentially sensitive, do not fall under the specific umbrella of Protected Health Information as delineated by HIPAA. For instance, credit history, social media content, and metadata from apps may contain personal information but do not explicitly relate to health status or healthcare provision in the way that option B does. By focusing on health-related aspects, option B accurately reflects the essence of PHI.