What the American Medical Association does and where to find its offices

The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional membership organization for physicians and medical students in the United States. It does not run hospitals, clinics, or direct patient care. Instead, it sets medical standards, publishes clinical guidance, advocates for physician interests in policy, and maintains databases that hospitals and insurers use to verify doctor credentials.

The AMA has a national headquarters in Chicago and regional offices across the country. If you are a physician looking to join, renew membership, or access member resources, you will contact the national office. If you work in healthcare administration and need to verify a doctor's credentials or licensing status, you may work with AMA databases rather than a physical office location.

The organization also publishes the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that medical billing relies on, and the Physician Masterfile, a database used by hospitals, insurers, and state medical boards to track physician information. Understanding which service you need determines which office or department you contact.

Key Takeaways

  • The AMA national headquarters is located in Chicago, and you can reach it by phone, mail, or through its website at ama-assn.org.
  • Physicians join the AMA for membership benefits, continuing medical education credits, and access to clinical resources and policy advocacy.
  • The AMA maintains the Physician Masterfile, a credential database that hospitals and insurers use to verify doctor information.
  • If you need to verify a physician's credentials or licensing, you typically contact your state medical board or the hospital credentialing department, not the AMA directly.
  • The AMA publishes CPT billing codes and clinical guidelines that affect how medical services are coded and billed across the healthcare system.

AMA national headquarters contact information

The main AMA office is located at 330 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611. You can reach the organization by phone at 1-800-621-8335 (for general inquiries) or visit ama-assn.org to find department-specific phone numbers and contact forms.

The website has a "Contact Us" section that routes inquiries to the right department — membership services, billing and coding questions, physician credentialing, or media relations. If you are a member trying to access your account, log in through the member portal rather than calling the main line, as this is faster for account-related questions.

The AMA also maintains a mailing address for written correspondence, though email and phone are typically faster. Response times vary by department; membership inquiries usually receive a response within one to two business days, while credentialing or database update requests may take longer depending on the complexity.

Membership and physician services

Physicians and medical students can join the AMA to access continuing medical education (CME) credits, clinical decision support tools, and advocacy on healthcare policy. Membership is not required to practice medicine — it is optional and comes with annual dues that vary based on membership category (student, resident, or practicing physician).

Members receive access to JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association), the AMA's clinical guidelines, coding resources, and discounts on CME courses. The organization also offers group insurance programs and practice management resources for members.

To join or renew membership, visit ama-assn.org or call the membership department. You will need to provide proof of medical school enrollment or an active medical license. The process process typically takes one to two weeks from submission to approval.

The Physician Masterfile and credential verification

The Physician Masterfile is a database maintained by the AMA that contains information on millions of physicians and medical students in the United States. Hospitals, insurers, state medical boards, and credentialing organizations use this database to verify a doctor's education, training, board certification, and licensing status.

If you are a physician, your information may already be in the Masterfile based on your medical school enrollment or state license. You can request to view or update your record by visiting the AMA's Physician Masterfile portal or contacting the AMA directly. Updates typically take one to two weeks to process.

If you are a patient or employer trying to verify a physician's credentials, you do not contact the AMA directly. Instead, you check your state medical board's website (each state maintains its own licensing database) or ask the hospital or clinic where the physician works. These sources are more current and legally authoritative than the AMA database.

CPT codes and medical billing resources

The AMA publishes Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, which are the standardized codes used to describe medical procedures and services on insurance claims and medical bills. Medical offices, hospitals, and billing companies purchase CPT code books and subscriptions from the AMA each year.

If you work in medical billing or coding and need to purchase CPT resources, order them through ama-assn.org. The AMA also offers training courses and certification programs for medical coders. If you have a question about how a specific procedure should be coded, you can contact the AMA's coding department through the website.

Patients who see a CPT code on their medical bill can look it up on the AMA website or ask their provider's billing department what the code means. The code itself does not determine your out-of-pocket cost — your insurance plan and deductible do — but understanding the code helps you verify that you were billed for the service you received.

State and regional AMA organizations

In addition to the national office, most states have a state medical association affiliated with the AMA. These state organizations handle local physician advocacy, continuing education events, and networking. If you are looking for a physician in your area or want to attend a local medical conference, contacting your state medical association may be more useful than the national office.

State medical associations are separate organizations from the AMA, though many members belong to both. You can find your state association through the AMA website or by searching "[your state] medical association." State associations often have lower membership dues and focus on issues specific to your state's healthcare laws and regulations.

Some states also have specialty societies (such as the California Medical Association or the Texas Medical Association) that operate independently. These organizations may offer more targeted resources for physicians in specific specialties or regions.

When you do not need to contact the AMA

Many people assume the AMA handles tasks it does not actually perform. If you are trying to verify a doctor's license, contact your state medical board, not the AMA. If you are filing a complaint about a physician's conduct, contact your state medical board or the hospital where the physician works. If you received a bill with a CPT code you do not understand, ask your provider's billing department or your insurance company.

The AMA does not issue medical licenses, investigate complaints, or determine insurance coverage. It is a membership organization and publisher, not a regulatory body. Understanding this distinction saves you time when you are looking for help with a healthcare issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn about a doctor is a member of the AMA?

The AMA does not publish a public directory of members. If you want to know whether a specific physician is an AMA member, you can ask the physician directly or contact their office. You can verify a physician's license and credentials through your state medical board's website instead.

Can I file a complaint about a doctor with the AMA?

No. The AMA does not investigate complaints or discipline physicians. File complaints with your state medical board, which has the legal authority to investigate and take action. You can find your state board's contact information by searching "[your state] medical board" online.

Do I need to be an AMA member to practice medicine?

No. AMA membership is optional. You need a state medical license to practice, which you obtain from your state medical board, not the AMA. Many physicians practice without AMA membership, though some find the membership benefits and advocacy valuable.

How do I update my information in the Physician Masterfile?

Log in to the AMA Physician Masterfile portal at ama-assn.org, or call the AMA at 1-800-621-8335 and ask for the Masterfile department. You will need to verify your identity with your medical license number. Updates typically take one to two weeks to appear in the database.

Where can I buy CPT code books?

CPT code books and digital subscriptions are available through ama-assn.org. Medical offices and billing companies typically purchase these annually. If you work in medical billing, your employer usually provides access to CPT resources as part of your job.