SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hipaa-deid-dates-year

Under Safe Harbor, which part of a patient's admission date may stay in de-identified data?

Only the year.

Start playing free

  1. Only the year ✔
  2. The month and year
  3. The day of the month

Why: Every part of a date tied to a person, except the year, must be removed. That covers birth, admission, discharge and death dates.

Huh, didn't know that: A record that says only 2024 passes Safe Harbor; one that says March 2024 does not.

The dad joke
Why are calendars so popular? They have lots of dates.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Only the year. Every part of a date tied to a person, except the year, must be removed. That covers birth, admission, discharge and death dates.

  1. 45 CFR 164.514 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.514
    All elements of dates (except year) for dates directly related to an individual, including birth date, admission date, discharge date
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Work SkillsHow many identifiers must be removed under HIPAA's Safe Harbor method to de-identify health data?Work SkillsBesides Safe Harbor, what is HIPAA's other way to de-identify health data?Work SkillsUnder Safe Harbor, how much of a patient's ZIP code may stay in de-identified data?

That's stuff everyone should know.