The 18 Identifiers Of PHI

In this article I will outline the 18 identifiers of Protected Health Information also known as PHI. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known simply as HIPAA, PHI is any information (identifiers) about health care, health status, or payment for health care that can be linked to a specific individual. 

The 18 Identifiers Of PHI

THE 18 IDENTIFIERS

  1. Names
  2. All geographical subdivisions smaller
    than a state, including street address,
    city, county, precinct, and zip code
  3. All elements of dates (except year) for
    dates directly related to an individual
    (birthdate, admission date, etc.)
  4. Phone numbers
  5. Fax numbers
  6. Email addresses
  7. Social Security numbers
  8. Medical record numbers
  9. Health plan beneficiary numbers
  10. Account numbers
  11. Certificate/license numbers
  12. Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers,
    including license plate numbers
  13. Device identifiers and serial numbers
  14. Web Universal Resource Locators (URLs)
  15. Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers
  16. Biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints
    and voiceprints
  17. Full face photographic images and any
    comparable images
  18. Any other unique identifying number

WHO NEEDS TO PROTECT THIS INFORMATION?

Everyone! If you work in an environment that handles sensitive data such as PHI, it is your responsibility to ensure its privacy and security.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT THE INFORMATION?

• Think before you click.
• Verify the source.
• Always follow policy.
• Use common sense!

 

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I hope this article was helpful, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. If you would like to be notified of when I create a new post you can subscribe to my blog alert.

author avatar
Patrick Domingues

2 Comments

  1. Nice article. If I’m understanding this correctly. Then any collection agency receiving information to collect on a debt which links a patient name, address to a medical bill is violating HIPPA.

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