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Frequently Asked Questions - Membership Model

How does AHLA's membership model work?
AHLA is committed to being an inclusive organization that welcomes both health lawyers and health law professionals. Each member is empowered to select the content, services, and products that best meet their professional needs. AHLA's membership model includes two levels — Basic and Comprehensive — based on the bundle of benefits that best serves the individual.

What is the difference between Basic and Comprehensive membership?
Both levels provide access to core AHLA benefits, including AHLA Weekly, Health Law Connections magazine, the AHLA Newsstand newsletter, access to the Health Law Network, and the ability to join Practice Groups. The key differences are:

  • Basic: Includes access to one Practice Group of your choice.
  • Comprehensive: Includes access to all Practice Groups, a complimentary subscription to the Health Law Archive, and an educational pass providing free access to all AHLA webinars and educational calls, plus special pricing on in-person programs.

Who is eligible for discounted membership pricing?
AHLA provides an additional discount off the price for members who are academicians, in-house counsel, paralegals, solo practitioners, or work in the public sector (local, state, or federal government). Additional discounts also apply when registering for programs and distance learning events.

Does AHLA ever have special membership offers?
Yes. AHLA offers Membership + Conference Bundles, which let individuals join AHLA and register for a conference in one streamlined process. Bundling gives you discounted member pricing on the conference registration, plus year-round access to AHLA's health law resources.

Current members can also take advantage of this offer when renewing, if they are within three months of their renewal date.

Can multiple people at my firm share a single AHLA membership?
No. AHLA membership is individual and non-transferable — it cannot be shared, split, or used interchangeably among colleagues at the same firm or organization. Each person who wants to access member benefits, participate in Practice Groups or Communities, receive CLE/CEU credit, or register for conferences at the member rate must hold their own individual membership.

Membership is tied to the individual for several reasons:

  • CLE/CEU credit is issued to the individual who completed the program and must reflect the actual attendee for compliance and reporting purposes.
  • Conference and webinar pricing is based on the registrant's own membership level/category, not the firm's.
  • Platform access (Health Law Network, Communities, Mentoring Program, volunteer involvement) is aligned with the named member, not the organization.

If you're looking to get multiple colleagues at your firm involved, AHLA offers a consolidated billing program, which allows multiple individuals at an organization to each hold their own membership.

Does everyone at a firm, in-house department, or organization need to select the same membership level?
No. Everyone selects the membership level that best meets their own professional needs, regardless of what others at their organization choose.

What is a member's anniversary date?
A member's anniversary date is based on the month they originally joined AHLA, unless their firm or organization has a group billing arrangement. For members covered under a group bill, the expiration date is aligned with the month the organization pays on everyone's behalf.

How can a member change their membership level?
Members can upgrade to a higher membership level at any time during the year by contacting AHLA. Members may also wait until their renewal date to reassess their needs and adjust their level at that time.

How is access to Practice Groups (PGs) incorporated into a membership?
Members selecting the Basic level opt into and receive access to one Practice Group. Those at the Comprehensive level receive access to all PG content on the website. Members should also indicate or update their preferences for the PGs in which they have the most interest by logging into the AHLA website and selecting "My Membership."

Note for those who have Basic membership level: once a Practice Group is selected, it cannot be changed until the member either upgrades to Comprehensive membership or renews their membership.

How can a member gain access to the Health Law Archive?
A complimentary subscription to the Health Law Archive is included with Comprehensive membership. The Archive contains approximately 30,000 documents, including in-person program papers and audio recordings, back issues of the Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law, AHLA Weekly articles, Practice Group newsletters, member briefings, webinar recordings, magazines, and out-of-print publications.

How does the educational pass work for Comprehensive members?
Comprehensive members receive an educational pass granting free access to all AHLA live webinars — no fee or registration code is required; the pass is applied automatically at registration. If a member registers for a live webinar but is unable to attend, they will automatically receive access to the recording and accompanying materials afterward. Comprehensive members also receive special member pricing on in-person conferences, which is likewise applied automatically when registering.

Can law students or summer associates join AHLA?
Yes. Individuals enrolled full-time in a law or graduate school who do not yet hold a JD degree can join as a student member for up to three years while in active student status. Student members receive the following benefits at no cost:

  • Health Law Connections magazine
  • AHLA Weekly and AHLA Newsstand electronic newsletters
  • Access to AHLA's online communities
  • Participation in virtual networking roundtables and forums
  • Special, discounted pricing on conferences and distance learning events

Students who wish to receive additional benefits may opt to pay for the Basic or Comprehensive membership level at any time. Visit the Student Membership page for more information and student FAQs.

What are the Health Law Network communities and who can join them?
The Health Law Network includes dedicated communities that connect members who share similar identities, experiences, career stages, or professional interests. These communities provide opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, seek advice, and discuss issues that are particularly relevant to their members.

Any member may subscribe to one or more communities at no additional cost. Members can choose to receive messages in real time, as a daily digest, or by visiting the platform online.

Current communities include:

  • Accessibility in Health Law
  • Advancing Women in Health Law
  • BIPOC in Health Law
  • Compliance Professionals
  • Early Career Professionals and Students
  • LGBTQ+ in Health Law
  • Life Members
  • Solo Practitioners

What professional roles are represented in AHLA membership?
AHLA membership reflects the full range of professional roles within the health law community. Categories include:

  • Academician — Full-time faculty at a law or graduate school
  • Lawyer — Individual holding a JD and engaged in the practice of law, including firm counsel, of counsel, special counsel, or senior counsel
  • Health Law Professional — Compliance and regulatory professionals, privacy officers, consultants, accountants and finance officers, economists, and hospital/medical office administrators and practitioners
  • In-House Counsel — Attorney or lawyer practicing in a hospital or health care system, HMO, health care insurer, or professional association setting
  • Paralegal — Individual employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity performing specifically delegated substantive legal work
  • Public Sector — Health law professionals working in non-profit legal services or advocacy organizations, or in federal, state, local government, or public health settings
  • Solo Practitioner — Lawyer practicing independently, in a firm that may include non-lawyer support staff but no other lawyers
  • Student — Individual enrolled full-time in law school or graduate programs are eligible, including JD candidates, LLM students, and graduate students in health care administration, public health, or related fields. Applies to students who do not yet hold a JD.

Whatever category best describes your role, AHLA membership connects you to the same benefits, resources, and community.

 

What features/benefits make up each of the two tiers?
The chart below lists the features and benefits you will receive under the membership model:

 

Membership Levels to Fit Your Unique Needs

From an all-access pass to just the essentials, AHLA has a membership tier that fits your unique needs as a health law professional.

  Basic Membership
Limited Access
Comprehensive Membership
Unlimited Access
Practice Group Enrollment
17 Groups + Resources
1 Unlimited
Conference Discounts
Virtual and In-Person
$200 $300
Free Live Webinars
CLE, CPE, CE, and More
Unlimited
Health Law Archive
Search 30,000+ Documents
Health Law Daily Podcast
Trusted News in Audio Format
Member Publications
Curated News and Analysis
Health Law Network
Community, questions, insights
Mentorship Program
Growth for all career stages
Volunteering & Leadership
Give back, network, grow
Career Center
Discover career opportunities
Membership Price* $325/year $545/year

*Membership prices are subject to periodic review. For details about how pricing is determined and how changes may affect your membership, visit the Understanding Membership Prices page.