AAMA CMA Practice Question

The best first step a medical assistant should take is to verify if the patient has provided authorization to release medical information to the family member. This upholds the legal and ethical guidelines stipulated by HIPAA, which protects patient privacy and requires explicit consent for sharing health information. Confirming the patient's authorization ensures compliance with confidentiality requirements. Other steps, like consulting the patient or checking the patient’s record, come after verifying authorization, thus making verification the initial and correct action.