Today, working in healthcare requires at least a basic knowledge of industry laws and regulations. This is especially true when you consider how much oversight exists in healthcare to protect patients and providers alike. If you're in an administration law healthcare role that requires a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance laws, then it may be time to pursue your Master of Legal Studies to enhance your law-adjacent knowledge.
The Role of Legal Knowledge in Modern Healthcare
Working in any aspect of healthcare means taking proactive measures to follow strict legal compliance standards. These regulations not only protect patients and improve their standard of care but also protect healthcare workers. With extensive knowledge of healthcare compliance, those in administration law healthcare roles (including human resources professionals and administrators) can make better-informed decisions, mitigate risks, and keep facilities compliant.
What Are the Key Healthcare Laws and Regulations in the U.S.?
In the United States specifically, there are numerous healthcare compliance laws and regulations that those working in the field need to be aware of. These include:
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets strict standards to protect patient health information.
- Affordable Care Act (ACA), which includes important provisions for healthcare coverage and prevents insurance companies from denying individuals coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
- Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), which prevents healthcare providers from receiving any kind of reimbursement or pay in exchange for referrals.
- Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), which offers certain protections for healthcare workers who report medical errors, unsafe working conditions, and other issues in the workplace.
- False Claims Act (FCA), which penalizes healthcare workers and/or individuals who submit fraudulent claims for medical services.
In addition to federal regulations that apply across the healthcare industry, individual states may also have their own laws in place. Regardless, healthcare compliance regulations serve an important purpose in enhancing the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
Why Legal Expertise Is Essential for Healthcare Professionals
When healthcare professionals are well-versed in the regulations that apply to their chosen field, they're better prepared and equipped to do their jobs with confidence. For those in administration law healthcare roles, for example, a robust understanding of industry-wide regulatory frameworks could help them avoid mistakes that may otherwise result in HIPAA violations, fines, and legal penalties.
Furthermore, when workers know and follow healthcare compliance standards in their everyday actions, they are doing their part to protect patient rights and safety. For example, when a healthcare worker reports an unsafe condition knowing they are protected under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), this can result in changes that improve patient safety and lead to a better workplace for all.
And, of course, from a risk management and liability standpoint, healthcare workers who know the ins and outs of the regulatory landscape are more likely to protect their facilities from lawsuits, fraud claims, and other risks that come with operating in this industry.
How an M.L.S. Degree Equips Professionals for Healthcare Law Challenges
Having an in-depth understanding of healthcare compliance and regulations can improve decision-making while better protecting patients and frontline workers in the process. If you're looking for a degree program that helps build law-adjacent knowledge without the demands of a full-fledged law degree, then a Master of Legal Studies may be right for you.
Specifically, an online Master of Legal Studies from the University of Miami School of Law provides the dedicated coursework needed to develop practical skills that you can apply in your own work right away.
Core Curriculum and Specialized Courses in M.L.S. Programs
Most online M.L.S. programs combine a legal foundation—statutory interpretation, legal research and writing, contracts, torts, and administrative law—with electives tailored to healthcare. Curricula typically total around 30 credits and may offer a general track plus a healthcare-focused option. (For example, the University of Miami School of Law offers a Healthcare Law and Regulation track as one such option.)
Common healthcare-law courses include:
- Healthcare law and policy
- HIPAA and health information privacy
- Fraud and abuse (e.g., AKS, Stark, FCA)
- Risk management and compliance program design
- Cybersecurity and data security in healthcare
- Quality and patient safety frameworks
- Healthcare reimbursement and payer systems
These courses provide structured exposure to the rules, regulatory bodies, and enforcement mechanisms that shape U.S. healthcare, helping professionals understand how compliance frameworks operate in practice.
Practical Skills Developed Through an M.L.S. Degree
As part of an M.L.S. degree program, professionals in administration law healthcare roles can expect to develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills — both of which can be essential when navigating the complexities of healthcare compliance. At the same time, students have the opportunity to build upon their existing management skills, empowering them to communicate more effectively with stakeholders across the board.
Addressing Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare
In the healthcare industry, administrators and compliance teams are tasked with being able to identify, mitigate, and address risks as they relate to patient privacy, data security, and beyond.
Navigating HIPAA, Patient Privacy, and Data Security
HIPAA and other regulations create strict frameworks for how healthcare facilities should handle patient data with an emphasis on patient privacy and data security. Facilities that are found to be operating outside these healthcare compliance standards may face severe fines, penalties, and legal backlash.
With this in mind, those in administration law healthcare roles have a critical responsibility to follow HIPAA requirements at all times. This may include:
- Performing regular risk assessments on electronic health record systems and their potential security vulnerabilities.
- Providing ongoing HIPAA and regulatory training to staff.
- Implementing security measures (such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication) to keep data safe.
- Setting up clear policies and procedures for following compliance requirements and responding to incidents.
Managing Workplace Liability and Regulatory Audits
Last but not least, those working in administration law healthcare roles should be prepared to manage workplace liability and handle regulatory audits as they occur. Some of the best ways to stay prepared for regulatory audits in healthcare include:
- Conducting independent internal audits on a regular basis.
- Establishing a strong and clear framework for healthcare compliance.
- Keeping detailed documentation and records on all previous audits.
Professionals in compliance roles should also have a reliable means of staying on top of the latest regulatory changes in the industry, as new laws and requirements can arise at any time.
Learn to Navigate Legal Challenges in an Online M.L.S. Program
Navigating the regulatory landscape in healthcare is far from a simple task, but it's an important responsibility for professionals in law-adjacent roles — where patient safety may hinge on making the right decision.
The good news? An online Master of Legal Studies from the University of Miami School of Law offers the framework healthcare professionals need to better understand the nuances of regulatory healthcare compliance. You can even explore a dedicated online Master of Legal Studies healthcare track curriculum to further specialize your coursework and apply it to your career.
Reach out to learn more about this program today, or take the next step by completing your online application.
Sources
https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/affordable-care-act/
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11188648/
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/audit/index.html
https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/physician-education/fraud-abuse-laws/
https://pso.ahrq.gov/resources/act
https://www.justice.gov/civil/false-claims-act
