What is “protected health information” or “PHI”?
Under HIPAA, protected health information or PHI [footnote 7] is individually identifiable health information that is used to make decisions about an individual and is maintained in the designated record set. The following portions of our test materials are NOT PHI because they do not contain individually identifiable health information.
Protected health information, also called PHI, is (1) any information that can identify you (2) which is used or held by a health insurance organization (such as the State Health Plan) or a health care provider. PHI includes information that may not seem like health information. It includes such information as: your name, address, phone number, date of admission or discharge, date of birth, email address or social security number. Of course, things like your diagnosis or the kind of medication you’re taking is also PHI (if it identifies you). As a result of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, there will be changes in how the State Health Plan is allowed to deal with everyone, including you, your friends and family members, Health Benefit Representatives – everyone.
When we talk about “information” or “health information” in this notice we mean Protected Health Information or PHI. PHI is information that identifies an individual enrolled in a VHP benefit plan. It relates to the person’s participation in the plan, the person’s physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care to that person, or payment for the provision of health care to that person. It does not include publicly available information, or information that is available or reported in a summarized fashion that does not identify any individual person. II. What Types of Personal Information Does VHP Collect? Like all health benefits companies, we collect the following types of information about you and your dependents: • Information we receive directly or indirectly from you or your employer or benefits plan sponsor through applications, surveys, or other forms, in writing, in person, by telephone, or electronically, including our web site (e.g., name, address, social
