Final answer:
The process of limiting PHI to only that which is necessary is called minimum necessary standard.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using or disclosing protected health information (PHI) or when requesting PHI from a covered entity, the process of limiting PHI to only that which is necessary to accomplish the intended purpose is called minimum necessary standard. This means that reasonable efforts are made to ensure that only the minimal amount of PHI is accessed, used, or disclosed. For example, if a healthcare provider needs to share a patient's medical history with a specialist for consultation, they would only provide the relevant information required for the consultation, rather than sharing the entire medical record.