What type of information does Protected Health Information (PHI) include?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual and relates to their health status, healthcare provision, or payment for healthcare. This includes a wide range of data such as medical records, health histories, lab test results, and various other details that directly pertain to a patient’s physical or mental health.

PHI is safeguarded under laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which aims to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ health information. The defining characteristic of PHI is that it is health-related information that is maintained by a covered entity or business associate.

In contrast to the other options, financial transaction records, government identification numbers, and employee performance data do not specifically relate to an individual's health information, making them outside the realm of PHI. Each of those categories pertains to different aspects of personal or professional information but lacks the direct association with health status or treatment that defines PHI. Thus, the correct answer captures the essence of what constitutes Protected Health Information.