Healthcare Administration MHA Capstone Exam 2026:
Comprehensive Graduate-Level Practice Examination — Healthcare
Leadership, Strategic Management, Healthcare Finance, Policy &
Regulation, Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, Human Resources,
Health Information Systems
SECTION 1: HEALTHCARE POLICY AND LAW (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A large urban hospital system is considering a merger with a smaller community hospital.
The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns about the potential impact on market
competition. Which legal framework is most relevant to the FTC's review of this proposed
merger?
A. Stark Law
B. Antitrust legislation, specifically the Clayton Act
C. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)
D. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Clayton Act prohibits mergers that may substantially lessen competition.
The FTC reviews healthcare mergers to prevent monopolistic practices that could harm
consumers.
Question 2
,A healthcare administrator discovers that a physician employed by the hospital has been
accepting kickbacks from a medical device manufacturer for using their products exclusively.
Which federal statute is being violated?
A. The Anti-Kickback Statute
B. The False Claims Act
C. The Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark Law)
D. The Civil Monetary Penalties Law
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits knowingly offering or receiving
remuneration to induce referrals for services covered by federal healthcare programs.
Question 3
A patient presents to the emergency department with a life-threatening condition but has
no insurance and cannot pay for treatment. Under EMTALA, what is the hospital's
obligation?
A. Transfer the patient to a public hospital immediately
B. Provide a medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment
C. Require payment before providing any services
D. Discharge the patient with a referral to a community clinic
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: EMTALA mandates that Medicare-participating hospitals provide screening and
stabilizing treatment regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
,Question 4
A hospital administrator is developing policies to comply with HIPAA. Which of the following
scenarios would constitute a permissible disclosure of protected health information (PHI)
without patient authorization?
A. Sharing patient data with a marketing firm for targeted advertising
B. Disclosing PHI to public health authorities to report a communicable disease
C. Providing patient information to a family member's employer
D. Selling patient data to a pharmaceutical company for research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: HIPAA permits disclosure to public health authorities for disease reporting and
prevention without patient authorization as a public health exception.
Question 5
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid eligibility in participating states. A state
that chose not to expand Medicaid may experience which of the following consequences?
A. Increased federal funding for uncompensated care
B. Higher rates of uninsured individuals and financial strain on safety-net hospitals
C. Automatic enrollment of residents in private insurance plans
D. Elimination of all federal healthcare funding
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Non-expansion states have higher uninsured rates, causing safety-net hospitals
to bear more uncompensated care costs without expanded federal funding.
Question 6
A healthcare organization is implementing a new telemedicine program. Which regulatory
consideration is most critical for cross-state telemedicine practice?
A. Ensuring physicians are licensed in the state where the patient is located
B. Requiring all telemedicine visits to be recorded for quality assurance
C. Obtaining a federal telemedicine license for all providers
D. Limiting telemedicine to primary care services only
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Physicians must be licensed in the state where the patient receives services, as
medical practice is regulated at the state level.
Question 7
A hospital is being investigated for submitting false claims to Medicare. The government
alleges the hospital billed for services that were not medically necessary. Which law allows
the government to recover treble damages?
A. The Stark Law
B. The False Claims Act
C. The Anti-Kickback Statute
D. The Sherman Act
Comprehensive Graduate-Level Practice Examination — Healthcare
Leadership, Strategic Management, Healthcare Finance, Policy &
Regulation, Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, Human Resources,
Health Information Systems
SECTION 1: HEALTHCARE POLICY AND LAW (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A large urban hospital system is considering a merger with a smaller community hospital.
The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns about the potential impact on market
competition. Which legal framework is most relevant to the FTC's review of this proposed
merger?
A. Stark Law
B. Antitrust legislation, specifically the Clayton Act
C. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)
D. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Clayton Act prohibits mergers that may substantially lessen competition.
The FTC reviews healthcare mergers to prevent monopolistic practices that could harm
consumers.
Question 2
,A healthcare administrator discovers that a physician employed by the hospital has been
accepting kickbacks from a medical device manufacturer for using their products exclusively.
Which federal statute is being violated?
A. The Anti-Kickback Statute
B. The False Claims Act
C. The Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark Law)
D. The Civil Monetary Penalties Law
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits knowingly offering or receiving
remuneration to induce referrals for services covered by federal healthcare programs.
Question 3
A patient presents to the emergency department with a life-threatening condition but has
no insurance and cannot pay for treatment. Under EMTALA, what is the hospital's
obligation?
A. Transfer the patient to a public hospital immediately
B. Provide a medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment
C. Require payment before providing any services
D. Discharge the patient with a referral to a community clinic
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: EMTALA mandates that Medicare-participating hospitals provide screening and
stabilizing treatment regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
,Question 4
A hospital administrator is developing policies to comply with HIPAA. Which of the following
scenarios would constitute a permissible disclosure of protected health information (PHI)
without patient authorization?
A. Sharing patient data with a marketing firm for targeted advertising
B. Disclosing PHI to public health authorities to report a communicable disease
C. Providing patient information to a family member's employer
D. Selling patient data to a pharmaceutical company for research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: HIPAA permits disclosure to public health authorities for disease reporting and
prevention without patient authorization as a public health exception.
Question 5
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid eligibility in participating states. A state
that chose not to expand Medicaid may experience which of the following consequences?
A. Increased federal funding for uncompensated care
B. Higher rates of uninsured individuals and financial strain on safety-net hospitals
C. Automatic enrollment of residents in private insurance plans
D. Elimination of all federal healthcare funding
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Non-expansion states have higher uninsured rates, causing safety-net hospitals
to bear more uncompensated care costs without expanded federal funding.
Question 6
A healthcare organization is implementing a new telemedicine program. Which regulatory
consideration is most critical for cross-state telemedicine practice?
A. Ensuring physicians are licensed in the state where the patient is located
B. Requiring all telemedicine visits to be recorded for quality assurance
C. Obtaining a federal telemedicine license for all providers
D. Limiting telemedicine to primary care services only
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Physicians must be licensed in the state where the patient receives services, as
medical practice is regulated at the state level.
Question 7
A hospital is being investigated for submitting false claims to Medicare. The government
alleges the hospital billed for services that were not medically necessary. Which law allows
the government to recover treble damages?
A. The Stark Law
B. The False Claims Act
C. The Anti-Kickback Statute
D. The Sherman Act
