What type of information is protected under HIPAA?

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, specifically protects what is known as Protected Health Information (PHI). This includes any information that relates to an individual's past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care to that individual, and the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care. PHI is specifically defined under HIPAA and encompasses various forms of data, including names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and medical histories.

In this context, while private health history might intuitively seem like it could be protected, it doesn't encompass the full range of data that HIPAA covers as PHI. Public health information is typically more general and can often be disclosed without restrictions for the sake of public safety and welfare, while financial records may not necessarily contain health-related information. Therefore, the distinction is crucial: Protected Health Information is the correct designation that encapsulates the comprehensive protections mandated by HIPAA.