What type of health information is protected under HIPAA?

The correct response indicates that health information in any form or medium that is identifiable is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA safeguards a wide range of personal health information, often referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI). This encompasses information that can be used to identify an individual, such as names, addresses, social security numbers, medical records, and even communication that expresses health-related information.

PHI is not limited by the format in which it exists; it includes electronic records, paper files, and even oral communications. Therefore, it ensures that a broad spectrum of data, regardless of how it is maintained or shared, is considered sensitive and requires protection from unauthorized access.

In contrast, the other choices fail to fully encompass the scope of HIPAA protections. For instance, information collected in written form does not alone signify the breadth of what HIPAA covers, since it also includes electronic and oral information. Additionally, health information about family members is included under HIPAA, but the act protects the individual’s health information primarily. Information related to job performance is typically not covered under HIPAA unless it explicitly relates to an individual's health status. Thus, the comprehensive nature of the correct answer reflects the intent of HIPAA to