Cover sheet de-identification is the removal of PHI from the front page of a study packet under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164). anonym.plus runs it on your device. The packet flow stays, but the front page names no one.
When this applies
A study packet ships with a front page full of patient data. The packet can move on, yet the name, the date, and the fax line must be hidden first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file (PDF or scan) on your own machine.
- Local OCR reads the printed front page.
- The tool boxes names, dates, IDs, and fax lines.
- Review each box and add any the eye still sees.
- Black out the boxed text, or swap it for a token.
- Save the clean front page. The source stays with you.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, DOCX, or image scan).
- An operator: Redact (remove), Replace (swap), or Mask (partial).
- Optional: a fixed box for a repeated header layout.
PHI entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Aisha Bello → [PATIENT_1] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | Sent 05/30/2026 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 215603 → [MRN] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | Fax (404) 555 0171 → [FAX] |
| Site | ORGANIZATION | Pine Valley Imaging → [SITE] |
| Location | LOCATION | 44 Cedar Lane → [ADDRESS] |
Compliance achieved
- Removes PHI under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 164).
- Runs offline, so the tool itself needs no BAA.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
- Covers GDPR Art. 9 health data for EU patients too.
Anonymize cover sheets offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
The front page often holds the most patient data in one place. Redaction is final, so keep a secure source copy if you may need the names later.
Frequently asked questions
What sits on a study cover sheet?
Usually the name, the date, the fax line, and the sending site. It is the densest patch of patient data, so it gets careful redaction.
Is fax-number redaction supported?
Yes. A fax line is a contact number under the rule. It is flagged like a phone, so you can black it out or swap it.
Can I reuse one box layout across packets?
Yes. Set a fixed box for a repeated header. The same area gets covered on each front page, which speeds a big batch.