Which of the following best describes PHI?

The best description of Protected Health Information (PHI) is that it encompasses any information related to a patient's health. PHI is defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as any individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium, which includes demographic information, medical history, test results, treatment information, and any other details that can identify an individual and relate to their physical or mental health condition.

Understanding this, the option stating that only past medical history is considered PHI is too narrow and does not encompass the full range of health-related information that HIPAA protects. Additionally, information that can be de-identified is not classified as PHI, since de-identification removes identifiable information that could link the data back to the individual. Lastly, non-health-related personal information falls outside the scope of PHI, as it does not pertain to an individual’s health status or healthcare services. Therefore, the comprehensive nature of PHI captures all aspects of an individual's health information related to their treatment and wellbeing.