HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): the restricted three-digit ZIP codes (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 3.1)
HHS lists the three-digit ZIP prefixes that must become 000 (from 2000 Census data) and warns not to rely on that list where newer Census data exists.
Dated 17 Oct 2026Source checked 17 Oct 2026Basis: primary text
In the source's own words
“This means that the initial three digits of ZIP codes may be included in de-identified information except when the ZIP codes contain the initial three digits listed in the Table below. In those cases, the first three digits must be listed as 000.”
Where it was read
Also read from the same source
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): who is an expert (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 2.2)
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): how an expert works (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 2.6)
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): no fixed numerical risk level (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 2.3)
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): methods and results documented (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 2.6)
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): time-limited determinations (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 2.4)
- HHS OCR guidance on de-identification (2012): what actual knowledge means (HHS OCR, Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of PHI, 26 November 2012, section 3.6)
Figures it counts in
It is shown on its own, not counted into a figure.
Cited in this guide