protected health information

**protected health information**

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any individually identifiable health information that is created, received, stored, or transmitted by healthcare providers, health plans, or healthcare clearinghouses. This includes medical records, payment information, and any data that can be linked to a specific patient. PHI is protected under regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to ensure patient privacy and security. Use this tag for content related to health privacy, data protection, healthcare compliance, and patient rights.