AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 4: Understanding Insurances & Payer Groups

April 20, 2026

3:00 pm –

4:00 pm

Tracks: AAA Revenue Cycle Certificate (AAARC)

Provides 1 credit toward the American Ambulance Association Ambulance Revenue Cycle Management Specialist (ARCMS) certificate.

This session uses the Bootcamp’s HAND and ARM metaphor to illustrate payer group differences and responsibilities. Topics include distinctions between uninsured populations, contracts and facility billing (Part A), Medicaid, Medicare/federal/VA billing, commercial payers (ERISA, in-state, out-of-state), and Liability (auto/workers’ compensation). Faculty will also cover the ARMS acronym to explain “four things by payer”: allowed amounts, regulations, medical necessity definitions, and scheduled transportation issues (dispatching, prior authorization, PCS / CMN forms).

Speakers:

Donna Hankins
Director of Billing
American Ambulance

Donna Hankins is the Director of the Billing Office at American Ambulance in Fresno, California. She has been in EMS over 25 years, specializing in revenue and technology. In 1999, Donna started in the Information Technology Department. She moved to the Billing Office in 2007 and began participating regularly in the California Ambulance Association events and conferences. In 2012, Donna was selected as the Payer Issues Chairperson for the California...

Katie Arens
Vice President of Customer Access
Life EMS Ambulance

Katie Arens serves as the Vice President of Customer Access at Life EMS Ambulance in Grand Rapids, MI where she oversees the Billing Department, Mobile Health Solutions, and Control Center/Dispatch operations. Katie has over fifteen years’ experience in healthcare revenue cycle management. Her experience and expertise encompasses billing and coding, system compliance and performance, and RCM process innovation and execution. She received her Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Administration from...