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Foundations of Medical Law for Medical Assistants
Course Overview
NOTE: This is an online course and is also available for purchase as a print version via the AAMA online store. This is also available for purchase through the Foundations of Medical Law and Medical Ethics for Medical Assistants Bundle.

Foundations of Medical Law for Medical Assistants provides an essential dive into the vast world of medical law in the United States.
Course Information
Course Description
Medical assistants work within a complex legal environment that affects nearly every aspect of patient care, documentation, privacy, communication, and workplace responsibilities. This course provides a comprehensive overview of medical law and its practical application to medical assisting practice. Learners will explore the U.S. legal system, scope of practice requirements, informed consent, confidentiality, HIPAA, medical records, workplace law, professional negligence, malpractice, patient rights, risk management, and emerging legal issues such as telehealth, genetic privacy, and artificial intelligence.

Emphasis is placed on helping medical assistants understand legal responsibilities, maintain compliance, protect patient rights, reduce liability risks, and support safe, ethical, and professional healthcare delivery in ambulatory care settings.

Learning Objectives
As a result of completing this course, learners will be able to:
  • Describe foundational legal concepts that affect healthcare delivery and medical assisting practice.
  • Explain laws governing scope of practice, informed consent, confidentiality, and patient rights.
  • Identify legal responsibilities related to HIPAA, medical records, reporting requirements, and workplace safety.
  • Recognize situations that may result in negligence, malpractice, or legal liability.
  • Apply legal and regulatory principles that support compliant, patient-centered care in ambulatory settings.

Content Overview
This course will explore:
  • A brief history of medical law, the U.S. legal system, and the courts
  • Essential legal concepts for healthcare professionals such as scope of practice, standard of care, confidentiality, and more.
  • Key topics in today's healthcare environment, such as risk management and liability insurance.
  • The provider-patient relationship and their respective rights
  • Informed Consent, advanced directives, and the role of the medical assistant
  • Professional negligence and medical malpractice, including a discussion of torts and liability
  • Medical records, including structure, ownership and access, disclosures, and billing, and where they intersect with legal proceedings
  • Workplace laws and regulations
  • The emerging legal trends of telehealth, genetic privacy, cannabis, and artificial intelligence

Note: This course provides general information on medical law and is not intended as legal advice. Please consult a lawyer for specific legal advice.

Learners will have 90 days to complete the course and posttest.
Course Contributors
American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Developed this educational program to provide medical assistants with a practical understanding of medical law, regulatory requirements, professional responsibilities, and risk reduction strategies in healthcare practice.
Intended Audience
This course is designed for medical assistants, CMA (AAMA) professionals, allied health professionals, medical assisting students, and ambulatory care team members. Learners will gain practical knowledge of medical law, legal compliance, patient rights, and professional responsibilities that support safe, effective, and legally sound healthcare practice.
Important Legal Notice
This medical law course provides general educational information and is not intended as legal advice. Laws, regulations, and medical assistant scope-of-practice requirements vary by jurisdiction. Learners should consult applicable state requirements, organizational policies, and a qualified lawyer when specific legal guidance is needed.
Retake Information
Please note that retakes for this online course require repurchase.
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Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Expires 90 days after start
Cost:
Member: $112.50
Nonmember: $225.00
CEU Offered:
25 Gen/Adm CEUs
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