PHI can be information, either combined or alone which can lead to the identification of a patient.

 

For example:

 

•        An account number alone may not be PHI, but combined with a Date of Birth and an Address would be PHI because the combined information could be used to identify the individual.

 

•        An address alone may not be PHI, but combined with a patient name could result in identification, which would be considered PHI.

 

•        Social Security Number alone is PHI because this information alone can be used to identify an individual.