ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2023 Issue 19
Reader Questions: Recognize the 2 Standards for De-Identifying PHI
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Article Overview
This reader Q&A covers HIPAA Privacy Rule concepts related to protected health information, de-identification, and the major approaches used to remove identifiable elements from health data. It is aimed at practices and compliance-minded readers who need a broad understanding of OCR guidance, the Privacy Rule, and the types of information considered identifying under HIPAA.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding what counts as PHI and how de-identification works is essential for privacy compliance, internal communications, and data handling in healthcare settings.
Article Sections
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Question
Introduces the reader’s compliance question about what qualifies as PHI and how de-identification is defined in a healthcare setting.
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Answer
Summarizes OCR’s HIPAA Privacy Rule guidance on PHI, de-identification, and the two general methods described for removing identifying information.
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Here’s the list of 18 PHI identifiers to look for
Presents the categories of identifiers discussed in the article and explains their relevance to de-identification under HIPAA.
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Reminder
Notes where identifiable information may appear in everyday communications and why those channels still require privacy awareness.
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Resource
Provides an external HIPAA resource for additional background on de-identification and safeguarding information.
What You Will Learn
- How HIPAA frames protected health information in general terms
- What de-identification means under the Privacy Rule
- The difference between the two broad de-identification methods discussed in OCR guidance
- Which categories of identifying information are highlighted for privacy review
- Why privacy concerns extend across common communication channels
Who Should Read This
- Healthcare practices
- Compliance staff
- Medical office administrators
- Privacy and HIPAA training readers
- Healthcare coding and billing professionals
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