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Minimum Necessary Standard

HIPAA

HIPAA principle (45 CFR §164.502(b)) requiring use/disclosure of only the minimum PHI needed for the purpose.

The Minimum Necessary Standard requires covered entities and business associates to make reasonable efforts to use, disclose, or request only the minimum PHI needed to accomplish the intended purpose. Exceptions apply for treatment, individual's own request, HHS, and legally required disclosures.

Why it matters
Over-broad role permissions and lack of field-level access control are the #1 reason for OCR findings post-breach.

Related terms

HIPAA
US law protecting PHI; Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules apply to covered entities and business associates.
PHI (Protected Health Information)
Individually identifiable health information held or transmitted by a HIPAA covered entity or business associate.
Data Minimisation
GDPR Art. 5(1)(c) principle: personal data must be adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary.

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