Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CMAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical Law and Ethics flashcards as text
Under the False Claims Act, which action by a medical administrative assistant could result in federal penalties?
Answer: Filing a claim for a service not rendered to obtain reimbursement
Submitting claims for services not rendered constitutes healthcare fraud under the False Claims Act and carries serious civil and criminal penalties.
A patient overhears office staff discussing another patient's diagnosis in the waiting room. This is an example of a violation of:
Answer: HIPAA's Privacy Rule
HIPAA's Privacy Rule prohibits the disclosure of protected health information in areas where unauthorized individuals may overhear.
Which federal law prohibits physician self-referral to healthcare entities in which the physician has a financial relationship?
Answer: The Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law)
The Stark Law prohibits physicians from referring Medicare/Medicaid patients to facilities where the physician or immediate family has a financial interest.
A patient revokes a previously signed authorization for release of medical records. The medical office should:
Answer: Accept the revocation and stop future disclosures immediately
Under HIPAA, patients have the right to revoke authorizations at any time in writing, and the office must cease disclosures upon receipt.
The legal concept of 'statute of limitations' in medical malpractice refers to:
Answer: The time period within which a patient must file a malpractice lawsuit
The statute of limitations sets the deadline by which a patient must initiate legal action after a malpractice incident, varying by state.
When a patient lacks decision-making capacity and has no advance directive, healthcare decisions are typically made by:
Answer: A court-appointed or legally recognized surrogate decision-maker
In the absence of an advance directive, a legally recognized surrogate (next of kin or court-appointed guardian) makes healthcare decisions for incapacitated patients.
Which ethical principle requires healthcare providers to distribute resources and treatment fairly among all patients?
Answer: Justice
Justice is the bioethical principle requiring fair, equitable, and appropriate distribution of healthcare resources and treatment.