HIPAA's Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule define the standards for protecting PHI. These rules apply to:
* Covered entities: Health plans, healthcare providers who conduct certain electronic transactions, and healthcare clearinghouses.
* Business associates: Those who perform functions or activities that involve the use or disclosure of PHI on behalf of a covered entity.
The key elements of the HIPAA standards for PHI include:
* Privacy Rule: This rule establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other health information held by covered entities and their business associates. It addresses issues like:
* Use, disclosure, and access: Limits on who can access and use PHI and under what circumstances.
* Individual rights: Patients' rights to access, amend, and request restrictions on their PHI.
* Administrative safeguards: Policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
* Security Rule: This rule specifies administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that covered entities must implement to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This includes things like:
* Access control: Limiting who can access ePHI.
* Integrity controls: Preventing unauthorized changes to ePHI.
* Audit controls: Tracking access and modifications to ePHI.
* Data backup and disaster recovery: Protecting ePHI from loss or damage.
* Breach Notification Rule: This rule requires covered entities and business associates to notify individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and, in some cases, the media if a breach of unsecured ePHI occurs.
Beyond HIPAA, other standards and regulations may apply depending on the context, such as:
* State laws: Many states have their own laws that provide additional protections for PHI.
* Industry best practices: Organizations often adopt additional security measures beyond the minimum requirements of HIPAA.
* Other federal regulations: Other federal laws, like the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, build upon HIPAA's provisions.
In summary, there's no single "PHI standard," but rather a complex framework of regulations and best practices designed to protect the privacy and security of sensitive health information. The specific requirements depend on the entity handling the PHI and the applicable laws and regulations.