Certified Medical Administrative Assistants (CMAA) Practice Exam

Which type of medical contract involves a direct verbal or written statement?

1. Implied

2. Expressed

3. Unilateral

4. Bilateral

The correct answer is: Expressed

The type of medical contract that involves a direct verbal or written statement is known as an expressed contract. This contract is clearly articulated either through spoken words or documented in writing, leaving no ambiguity about the terms and expectations between the parties involved. Expressed contracts are fundamental in a medical setting since they establish clear agreements on the services to be provided, payment terms, and patient rights and obligations. For example, when a patient signs a consent form for a procedure, this is considered an expressed contract as it is a direct statement of understanding and agreement between the patient and the healthcare provider. In contrast, implied contracts are formed through the actions or circumstances of the parties involved, without explicit verbal or written expressions. Unilateral contracts involve a promise made by one party in exchange for an action by another party, while bilateral contracts entail mutual promises between two parties. These other types of contracts lack the direct verbal or written statement characteristic of expressed contracts, highlighting why expressed is the most accurate term in this context.