Final answer:
Protected Health Information (PHI) is considered private and must be safeguarded under HIPAA. It includes any information that can identify an individual and relates to their health status, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare services.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protected health information (PHI) is considered private and must be safeguarded by covered entities. PHI includes any information that can be used to identify an individual and relates to their past, present, or future health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare services. Examples of PHI include medical records, lab results, and health insurance information.
It is important to note that not all health information is considered PHI. For example, individually identifiable health information that is de-identified or does not contain any specifics about the individual is not protected under HIPAA.
Overall, HIPAA ensures the privacy and confidentiality of a client's medical information by setting strict standards for its protection and restricting its disclosure without the client's explicit consent.