According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protected health information (PHI) is any health information that can identify an individual that is in possession of or transmitted by a "covered entity" or its business associates that relates to a patient's past, present, or future health. This data includes demographic information. It also includes, but is not limited, to electronic and paper transmission. The term "covered entity" refers, but is not limited to, health care providers, insurance companies, and hospitals. PHI includes demographic identifiers, in medical records, like names, phone numbers, emails, and biometric information like fingerprints, voiceprints, genetic information, and facial images.
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