Which of the following is NOT considered PHI under HIPAA?

Health care entities are tasked with safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI), which encompasses a wide range of identifiers and health-related data. Under HIPAA regulations, PHI includes any information that relates to an individual's health condition, the provision of health care, or the payment for health care that can be linked to an individual.

A work email address may not specifically identify an individual’s health status or treatment and therefore would generally not be classified as PHI under HIPAA. PHI must relate directly to health information that could lead to the identification of a patient; thus, a work email address alone lacks this direct association with an individual's protected health data.

In contrast, a Social Security Number, health insurance information, and diagnosis information are explicitly considered PHI because they can be directly linked to a specific individual’s health care activities or financial information associated with their health. This distinction is critical for those working in health care to understand, as compliance with HIPAA is necessary not only for legal protection but also for maintaining patient trust and confidentiality.