What information is excluded from the definition of PHI?

The correct choice identifies that employment records held by an employer and educational records covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are excluded from the definition of Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI specifically pertains to individually identifiable health information that is created or received by healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities involved in healthcare. This includes information regarding past, present, or future health conditions, the provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that can be linked to specific individuals.

Employment records and educational records are governed by different regulations. Employment records, which include information related to a person's job performance or employment status, do not fall under HIPAA's scope, as they typically deal with workplace matters rather than health information. Similarly, FERPA governs the privacy of student educational records, thus distinguishing those records from the health information that HIPAA protects.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring compliance with both HIPAA and FERPA, particularly when it comes to managing sensitive information in educational and workplace environments.