What does "electronic PHI" (ePHI) refer to?

"Electronic PHI" (ePHI) refers specifically to any protected health information that is stored, maintained, or transmitted in electronic format. This encompasses a wide range of digital records, including electronic health records (EHRs), billing information, and any form of health data that is created, received, or transmitted using electronic means.

The understanding of ePHI is crucial within the context of HIPAA regulations, as it is subject to strict guidelines to ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These regulations aim to protect patient data from unauthorized access or breaches.

The other choices do not align with the definition of ePHI, which is specifically focused on electronic formats. Hence, the notion that ePHI could refer to health information printed on paper, never stored electronically, or shared verbally is inaccurate, as these forms do not represent electronic data and are thus not categorized as ePHI.