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Session Track: Revenue Cycle

The EHR Enigma: How Your Clinical Masterpiece Can Be a Billing Disaster

Revenue and clinical experts explore the intersection of clinical and non-clinical documentation, revealing how billing and clinical needs impact revenue, patient satisfaction, and efficiency. Learn strategies to bridge departmental silos, enhance patient experience, and reduce claim denials.
Key Takeaways:
Implement documentation auditing frameworks that identify revenue-impacting clinical gaps
Provide insight into bridging the gap and breaking down silos between the vocal clinical department and the mysterious billing department.
Apply specific documentation techniques to reduce denials and improve collections

 

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 8: Managing by the Numbers: KPIs, Audits & Performance

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

Facilitator: Rebecca Williamson
Panel: All AAARC Faculty
 The capstone session brings the program together with a focus on Revenue Integrity. Participants will learn how to track key metrics (denials, days in AR, net collection rates, cash-to-charge), perform internal audits, and use cost data to drive decision-making. The session concludes with a mentorship match for revenue cycle managers, fostering ongoing peer-to-peer learning and professional support beyond the program.

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 7: Compliance & Refunds: Lessons from Shakespeare

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

Session 7a Compliance Overview

Compliance is central to a billing office function. Topics include OIG, HHS, and CMS oversight, audit readiness, PHI/HIPAA protections, and practical risk management steps for billing teams. Participants will leave with strategies to strengthen compliance culture, and safeguard their organizations from costly errors.

Session 7b To Refund or Not To Refund?

Framed with the creativity of the Bootcamp’s Payer grouping and using a Shakespeare metaphor, this session examines refunds by payer groups, framing refunds as a crucial part of compliance and providing management strategies to process refunds and tips to prevent them.

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 6: Commercial Insurance Strategies & Surprise Billing

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

This session explores the complex commercial insurance landscape, covering federal and state-level requirements, contract strategies, and the impact of surprise billing regulations. Faculty will discuss negotiation tactics with insurers, appeals processes, balance billing issues, and future policy shifts. Case examples will highlight how ambulance providers can navigate underpayment, denials, and regulatory pressure.

Medicare Update & AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 5

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

Delivered by one of the nation’s foremost EMS reimbursement policy experts, this session provides the annual Medicare update. Participants will review the latest regulatory changes, reimbursement adjustments, and compliance expectations, ensuring billing professionals remain current with evolving CMS requirements.

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

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).

 

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 3: Cracking the Code: ALS, BLS & Beyond

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

A deep dive into the coding mechanics that drive reimbursement, including ALS/BLS distinctions, the use of primary and secondary modifiers, and itemized vs. bundled billing approaches. Faculty will guide learners through real-world claim scenarios, demonstrating how correct HCPC/ICD-10 coding and modifier usage can prevent denials, ensure compliance, and maximize appropriate payment.

 

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 2: Introduction to the Ambulance Revenue Cycle

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

Taking learners step-by-step through the life of an ambulance claim, this session covers MAC functions, claim lifecycle stages, and essential billing forms (1500, UB-04, and electronic 837P). Participants will distinguish emergency vs. non-emergency transports, compare ambulance vs. non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and understand the role of charges, supporting documentation (PCR, PCS/CMN), and modern electronic claim submissions in ensuring accurate and timely reimbursement.

 

AAA Revenue Cycle (AAARC) 1: Building the Foundations of Ambulance Billing

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

This session introduces the structural underpinnings of ambulance billing and compliance. Participants will learn about Medicare enrollment processes (855 forms, NPIs), physician fee schedules/ ambulance inflation factor (AIF), and billing software essentials. The session also explores how to align these foundational elements with mentorship and team development strategies, ensuring billing staff have both the tools and guidance to grow in their roles.

 

The EMS Escape Fire

It is obvious that EMS is at a crossroads, and many argue that our challenges are existential: initial education, recruitment, retention, and finances all seem to be under varying degrees of crisis. While there’s no silver bullet, speaker David Fifer will present research that suggests the most impactful way to address all of these challenges at once involves modernizing the current model of EMS certification, and building a new paradigm built on the healthcare clinical ladder model.

AI and EMS Business Development

AI and EMS Business Development: A Strategic Advantage

Is your business keeping pace with AI’s strategic edge? This session uncovers how AI tools can uncover hidden growth opportunities, revolutionize customer relations, and fine-tune your strategies for competitive success. With actionable insights and a touch of wit, Pat and Dom will ensure you’re ready to take your EMS business to the next level.

How Can They Do That? State MIH Comparison

How Can They Do That? A Comparative State Analysis of the Impact of Healthcare Regulations on MIH Programs

Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) and Community Paramedicine (CP) programs vary widely across states due to differences in laws and regulations. This session provides a comprehensive look at how state-specific regulations affect the operation, efficiency, and scalability of MIH programs. We will examine the most popular MIH models, discuss their financial and clinical goals, and explore the regulatory landscapes that enhance or inhibit their success. Participants will learn to navigate these complexities and gain insights into advocating for regulatory changes that foster the growth and effectiveness of MIH services.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the most common MIH models, including their financial and clinical outcomes.
  • Analyze how variations in state laws and regulations affect MIH staffing, costs, and program effectiveness.
  • Discuss strategies for advocating changes in laws or regulations that limit MIH program expansion.
  • Learn methodologies for analyzing and amending state laws and regulations to better support MIH initiatives.

This session will equip attendees with the knowledge to assess and influence the regulatory environment, promoting more effective and expansive MIH programs.

Is Your Compliance Program Effective?

A Compliance Program is not a “set it and forget it” part of your risk management portfolio. Attendees will learn the seven areas the OIG considers when measuring the effectiveness of a compliance program. They will also discuss the DOJ Criminal Division’s 2023 “Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs” which guides prosecutors in determining the resolution of offenses, based on the effectiveness of the provider’s compliance program. Finally, it will compare these tools with the original OIG Compliance Guidance from 2003.

Smart Money: Using AI to Transform EMS Collections

The Smart Money: Using Artificial Intelligence to Transform EMS Collections

This innovative session reveals how artificial intelligence is reshaping EMS revenue cycle management from reactive to predictive. Attendees will discover how their billing data contains hidden intelligence that can forecast payment timelines, identify at-risk claims, and optimize collection strategies. Through visual demonstrations and real-world examples, participants will see how AI analyzes thousands of policy numbers in seconds to predict which claims need attention, when payments will arrive, and how to improve collection rates. This practical session transforms complex technology into actionable insights for immediate revenue cycle improvement. Key Takeaways:

  • Predicting which claims are likely to be underpaid or delayed before they become problems
  • Understanding how policy number patterns reveal crucial insights about payment behavior
  • Implementing AI-driven prioritization strategies to accelerate cash flow and improve collection rates

This session demonstrates how artificial intelligence isn’t just cutting-edge technology—it’s a practical tool that EMS agencies can use today to work smarter, not harder, in their revenue cycle operations.

Building a Balanced EMS Organization

Stools Can’t Stand on Two Legs: Building a Balanced EMS Organization

Donna Hankins, American Ambulance Association Payer Relations Committee Chair, and Amy Gnojek, Founder/Principal Consultant of Apex360, will explore the essential synergy between Operations, Finance/Admin, and Reimbursement, with Compliance as the stabilizing force. Attendees will discover how aligning these critical components strengthens their EMS system’s stability, efficiency, and financial health. Participants will leave equipped with actionable strategies, including fostering interdisciplinary communication to eliminate silos, integrating compliance into daily workflows to reduce risk, and leveraging data-driven collaboration to enhance revenue cycles. This session offers practical insights that EMS leaders can implement immediately to drive performance and build a more resilient organization.

Wait, There’s More! 12 Wastes of EMS Billing

Building on their popular webinar “7 Wastes of EMS Billing: How to Apply Lean Manufacturing”, Katie Arens, Chair of the AAA Data Task Force, and Donna Hankins, Chair of the AAA Payer Relations Committee, will explore the concept of waste in product and process development, specifically focusing on the twelve common types of waste that can be found in the revenue cycle process. By identifying and understanding these wastes, participants will gain valuable insights into streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving overall efficiency in ambulance billing operations. Whether you are a billing specialist, manager, or industry professional, this session will provide practical knowledge and actionable strategies for enhancing performance and delivering greater value in ambulance billing. Don’t miss this opportunity to optimize your billing cycle and drive meaningful improvements in your organization.

Healthcare Insurance Trends: Just the Facts

This informative session will delve into the latest data and trends shaping the healthcare insurance landscape in FY2024. Attendees will gain insights into the key factors driving changes within the industry, including shifts in policy, technology advancements, and consumer behavior. The presentation aims to provide a clear, objective view of how these trends are influencing insurance plans and what that means for EMS and other healthcare providers.

Attendees will leave the session equipped with essential knowledge to navigate the evolving insurance landscape, better prepare for future challenges, and inspire proactive solution-building within their organizations.

Contracting Workshop: Insurer Agreements

The question of whether to contract with insurers has been a long-standing point of debate in EMS.  Historically, there was little incentive for EMS organizations, particularly 911 agencies, to actively seek out agreements with insurers.  However, the passage of the Federal No Surprises Act and various state balance billing laws has changed the equation somewhat.  In this panel discussion, a group of EMS lawyers will discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of insurance contracting.

AAA Advocacy | EMS Payment Reform

Sponsored by: Bound Tree
The American Ambulance Association has been working towards modernization of the ambulance fee schedule for over a decade. Earlier this year we received the preliminary data from the CMS Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System and are expecting the mandated MedPAC report to be released during the summer of 2026. This report will lay the foundation for the future of the ambulance fee schedule, which hits all payers and will determine what the future of EMS reimbursement looks like. Join our panel of speakers, Tristan North, American Ambulance Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Kathy Lester, Principal of Lester Health Law, and Shawn Baird, American Ambulance Association Payment Reform and Strategic Planning Committee Chair, for an update on opportunities for modernization of EMS reimbursement and discuss the AAA’s payment reform efforts.

Medicare Update 2025

The Medicare Program is constantly evolving. In this session, AAA Medicare Consultant Brian S. Werfel, Esq. will review the changes to the Medicare Program over the previous year. We will also discuss the first Ambulance Cost Data report, and its implications for the future of Medicare reimbursement. The second part of the session will focus on compliance, with an emphasis on the current Medicare audit landscape.