What does the term "individually identifiable health information" mean under HIPAA?

The term "individually identifiable health information" under HIPAA refers to health information that can be used to identify an individual. This encompasses any information that relates to the physical or mental health condition of a person, the provision of healthcare to that person, or the payment for healthcare that can be linked uniquely to that individual.

This definition is crucial because it highlights the importance of protecting personal health information that could potentially lead to the identification of a person, thus safeguarding their privacy. The focus is on the individual’s identity, making it distinct from data that may be aggregated or anonymized, which does not allow for the identification of a person.

In contrast, data collected in aggregate form is designed to provide insights at a population level without revealing individual identities, making it less sensitive under HIPAA. Similarly, while medical records that are stored electronically may implicate the use of individually identifiable health information, the storage method itself is not what defines the information as identifiable. Lastly, insurance details that do not include personal identifiers also do not meet the criteria for being "individually identifiable," as they lack the necessary personal information that would allow for identification of a specific individual. Thus, the correct understanding of "individually identifiable health information" is fundamental