Jeremy Lykins underwent a physical exam before his employment; how is his medical information treated under the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

Medical information related to a physical exam before employment is indeed treated under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The correct answer emphasizes that this information is protected because it is individually identifiable. Under HIPAA, any personal health information that can be tied back to an individual, such as medical history, physical exam results, and other health records, is considered protected health information (PHI) and is safeguarded by the Privacy Rule.

It’s important to note that while records such as personnel files may contain medical information, the HIPAA Privacy Rule specifically applies to health information rather than employment records as a whole. Medical information remains protected even if it exists within a larger personnel file, as it can still be individually identifiable.

The reasoning behind the correct option highlights that the nature of the information — being identifiable to Jeremy Lykins — is a key factor for protection under HIPAA. Therefore, even if the medical information is part of a personnel record, its classification as identifiable medical information secures its protection under HIPAA's standards.