PII (Personally Identifiable Information) refers to any data that can be used to identify a specific individual, either on its own or when combined with other information. This includes details such as:
- Full name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Financial account details
PHI (Protected Health Information) is a subset of PII that specifically relates to health and medical information. It refers to any health-related data that is created, received, or maintained by healthcare providers, insurers, or related entities and can identify an individual. Examples of PHI include:
- Medical records
- Diagnosis and treatment information
- Prescription details
- Health insurance information
- Medical record numbers
- Test results
PHI is often protected under specific regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the U.S., which mandates how healthcare providers and related businesses handle and protect this information.
Both PII and PHI are sensitive and require businesses to implement stringent data protection measures to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.
Do you have questions about how your business handles (or should handle) PII or PHI? Book a consultation with us today.
