National professional society of physicians formed in 1847 that develops and promotes medical practice, research, and education on behalf of patients and physicians. The AMA publishes the Physician’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code book and maintains the coding system. AMA is the secretariat of the National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC), which has a formal consultative role under HIPAA.

Organization founded in 1950 that represents medical groups including some of the nation’s largest, most prestigious integrated health care delivery systems. AMGA advocates for the multispecialty medical group model of health care delivery and for the patients served by medical groups through innovation and information sharing, benchmarking, leadership development, and continuous striving to improve patient care. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for medical groups providing a comprehensive package of benefits including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. It was formerly known as American Association of Medical Clinics (AAMC) and became American Group Practice Association (AGPA). Then in mid-1996 it merged with Unified Medical Group Association (UMGA) to form the American Medical Group Association (AMGA).

Professional organization that promotes the development and use of medical informatics for patient care, teaching, research, and health care administration.

National standards developed and approved by organizations accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Nonprofit accredited organization founded in 1979 that approves all national standards. It formed the Accredited Standards Committee X12 (ASC X12), which is responsible for establishing electronic communication standards for banking, insurance, and health care. It handles health care–related standards including claims and remittance mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. ANSI accredits other standards-setting committees and oversees their compliance with an open rule-making process that they follow to qualify for ANSI accreditation.

Professional organization representing registered nurses (RNs) through 54 constituent member associations. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

Member association founded in 1897 that represents osteopathic physicians (DOs). AOA serves as the primary certifying body for DOs and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical colleges and health care facilities. AOA’s mission is to advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine by promoting excellence in education, research, and the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care within a distinct, unified profession. AOA stands firmly behind osteopathic physicians’ ethical and professional responsibilities to patients and the medical profession.

International professional organization of psychiatrists and related medical specialists that renders services for people with mental disease, mental retardation, and substance-related disorders.

Professional organization for advancement of psychology as a science and profession and promotes health, education, and human welfare.