Data Elements

The data element is the smallest named unit of information in the HIPAA standard. Data elements can be broken down into types. The distinction between the types is strictly a matter of how they are used.

The types are:

• Simple: If a data element occurs in a segment outside the defined boundaries of a composite data structure, it is called a simple data element.

• Composite: If a data element occurs as an ordinally positioned member of a composite data structure, it is called a composite data element. A telephone number is a simple example of a composite. It has a three-digit area code, which must precede the three-digit central office code, which must precede the final four digits.

Each data element has a unique reference number, and it also has a name, description, data type, and minimum and maximum length.