Ch. 05 Key Terms
criminal law
the area of law that addresses possible illegal actions taken and must be proven in court beyond reasonable doubt
assault and battery
assault: intentionally putting another person in reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.
battery: intentional causation of harmful or offensive contact with another person without that person’s consent
slander
a false spoken statement about someone that damages their reputation
scope of practice
refers to the activities that a licensed health professional is permitted to perform
denied payment
the refusal of an insurance company or carrier to honor a request by an individual (or his or her provider) to pay for healthcare services obtained from a healthcare professional
civil law
is concerned with the peaceable resolution of disputes between individuals
invasion of privacy
the unauthorized use or sharing of confidential health information
libel
a written or printed false statement that damages a healthcare professional’s reputation
ethics
guiding principles for healthcare professionals ensuring that they prioritize their patients' well-being, treat patients with dignity and respect, and foster trust and confidence in the healthcare system and are moral principles and values that guide decision-making
termination of coverage
refers to the cancellation or discontinuation of health insurance
torts
when a medical professional acts in a negligent manner and injures someone in their care
false imprisonment
the act of restraining someone against their will, confining them in a bounded area
contract
structured promises or legal written agreements
power of attorney
a specialized form of power of attorney that allows someone to make crucial medical choices on your behalf if you are unable to do so
preexisting condition
chronic health problems (like asthma, diabetes, or cancer) that you had before your healthcare coverage began
malpractice
any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient
abuse
any action that intentionally harms or injures another person
breach of contract
a violation of the agreement between a health care provider and a patient
living will
a written, legal document that communicates your wishes for medical care
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)
sets federal standards for care in nursing homes and it aims to improve the quality of care provided to residents
negligence
a health care provider failing to follow the recognized standard of care and causing preventable harm to a patient
defamation
a false statement of fact that reflects badly on a doctor, hospital, or practice
consent form
legal document that declares in writing that the patient or their guardian has been informed of the likely risks and benefits of undergoing a medical procedure and that they wish to go ahead
denial of services
occurs when a health insurance company refuses to pay for a service or procedure, leaving the medical practice to bear the cost or pass it on to the patient