Which piece of information is NOT considered Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any information about health status, healthcare provision, or healthcare payment that can be linked to an individual. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations, PHI includes a wide range of identifiers that can be used to identify an individual in relation to their health information.

The name, social security number, and date of birth are all directly linked to an individual's identity and can be used to access their health records. Each of these elements can provide insight into a person's healthcare and treatment.

In contrast, a favorite color does not have any direct connection to an individual’s medical history, healthcare provision, or payment information. It is not an identifier that can link to health-related information under HIPAA guidelines. As such, it is not considered PHI. This distinction is essential for understanding what constitutes protected health data in order to safeguard patient privacy effectively.