Short Description
Any personal medical or dental information that is protected under HIPAA laws to ensure patient privacy and data security.
Long Description
Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any identifiable health-related data about a patient that is stored, transmitted, or used by healthcare providers, including dentists and insurance companies. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), PHI must be kept confidential and secure.
Examples of PHI include:
Patient names, birthdates, and contact details
Dental records, X-rays, and treatment history
Insurance and billing information
Dental offices and insurance providers must follow HIPAA guidelines to protect PHI, ensuring that patient data is not shared without consent except for treatment, payment, or legal requirements. Patients have the right to access their PHI and request corrections if needed.