What term refers to the process of de-identifying patient information under HIPAA?

The term that refers to the process of de-identifying patient information under HIPAA is "Expert Determination." This process involves a qualified expert determining that the risk of re-identification of an individual from the health information is very small. The expert uses established methods to assess the combination of data elements and the context in which they’re presented, ensuring that the information cannot reasonably be used to identify an individual.

This approach is vital in protecting patient privacy while allowing for the use of health information for various purposes, such as research and public health monitoring. It serves as a method of maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations while still making valuable data available.

The other terms do not specifically relate to HIPAA’s de-identification standards. Patient Anonymization generally means making the data unidentifiable, but it does not refer to the specific methodology outlined in HIPAA. Data Encryption is a security measure for protecting data integrity and confidentiality, but it does not involve de-identifying the data itself. Safe Harbor is a method under HIPAA that allows for de-identification by removing specific identifiers of the individual or their relatives, employers, or household members; however, it is distinct from the concept of Expert Determination.