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Tag: Annual Conference & Trade Show
Learn more about the highlight of the year for ambulance leaders at www.annual.ambulance.org!
EMS1 | Developing our political EMS response plan: EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence
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EMS1 | Inside EMS Podcast: Elephants In the Room
From EMS1 featuring AAA Communications Chair Rob Lawrence
What to do about the EMS elephants in the roomOur hosts discuss industry hot topics that will need to be addressed in the future, including the debate about responding with lights and sirensNov 6, 2020
This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by ImageTrend, the creators of the free mobile app for first responders, CrewCare. It’s time to thrive.In this episode, host Chris Cebollero speaks with guest host Rob Lawrence about his recent keynote address at the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Conference. Lawrence shares his thoughts on his EMS “elephants in the room.” Where should EMS stand on the issue of responding with lights and sirens? Do EMS practitioners need college degrees? Listen to the discussion and join the debate in the comments below.
2020 AAA Virtual Conference Speaker Session Submission
Although the 2020 AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Ambulance Association remains committed to the continued education and engagement of ambulance service leaders. As such, we plan a series of webinars throughout the year, as well as a Virtual Conference in November.
Please use the form below to share details, including the link to your prerecorded session, for your virtual conference session. Please note that all participating session speakers should pre-record their sessions, and that sessions may be edited for length or quality.
Here are some tips for a great online session!
Thank you for your interest in sharing your knowledge with your EMS colleagues.
All Virtual Annual sessions will take place on the highly interactive Prodigy EMS platform developed by Pro EMS of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show Cancelled
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the American Ambulance Association board has made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show. While we were looking forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas in November, health and safety remain our top priority. We also anticipate that travel restrictions will remain in place for many attendees in the Fall and that Las Vegas may still have social distancing guidelines that would limit our ability to host the full program.
The AAA is committed to providing education and networking opportunities to our members and the ambulance industry. Please stay tuned for more information regarding a smaller virtual conference offering and other educational opportunities.
Attendees
All registrations will be canceled and all paid orders will be refunded within 10 business days. If you have already processed payment for your registration, please be on the lookout for an email from AAA staff letting you know that your refund has been submitted. You do not need to do anything to receive a refund, we will process them automatically.
Exhibitors & Sponsors
All payments for exhibit booths and sponsorships will be refunded within 15 business days. Please be on the lookout for an email from AAA staff regarding your refund. We will also follow up with sponsors to share some additional sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the year.
Speakers
If you were scheduled to present at the 2020 Annual Conference, AAA staff will be reaching out to you this week regarding the possibility of presenting your session virtually.
40 Under 40 Honorees
All 2020 40 under 40 honorees will receive automatic complimentary registration to the 2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show, where they will be recognized over the course of next year’s program.
Hotel Reservations
If you booked a hotel room at the MGM Grand through our AAA block your reservation will be automatically cancelled by the hotel in the coming weeks. If you booked outside of our block you will need to contact the hotel directly at (877) 880-0880 to cancel.
We hope to see you at the 2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show November 1–3 at the Gaylord Texan outside Dallas! Registration for the 2021 show will open early in the new year.
Thank you and stay safe!
Annual 2021 Session Submissions Are Now Open!
Please note that all session selections for the AAA 2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show have been made. The full agenda is posted to the #Ambucon20 website. If you are interested in speaking NEXT YEAR in 2021, please complete the form below. Thank you for your support and participation!
AAA 2021 Session Proposals Due January 31, 2021
AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show
November 1–3, 2021
Gaylord Texan | Grapevine, Texas | #Ambucon21
Gaylord Texan | Grapevine, Texas | #Ambucon21
The American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show brings together mobile healthcare leaders from across the country to learn, network, and plan for the future of our industry. AAA Annual is committed to empowering our participants with the insights and best practices they need to serve their patients as well as operate efficiently and profitably.
Speaking at the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show is your opportunity to share best practices and insights with your peers as you build your personal brand. We invite you to submit your session proposals before January 31, 2021.
Topics
Sample speaking proposal topics considered include, but are not limited to:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Program
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovation, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Session Formats & Lengths
AAA is focused on engaging attendees interactively in every session. This year, we are seeking submissions in the following formats:
- 15 Minute Quick Take (similar to TED Talks)
- 50 Minute Sunrise Session (Early morning energizers. These could be a walking session, yoga gathering, coffee-shop meetup, or another creative idea you have to get the day started off right!)
- 50 Minute Lecture or Panel (traditional conference formats)
- 60 Minute Interactive Session (Format ideas to get you thinking.)
Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small workgroups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Compensation
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. However, speakers selected for 50- and 60-minute sessions will receive ONE complimentary speaker registration
Proposal Instructions
ALL proposals must be submitted through our online form below by January 31, 2021. AAA is unfortunately unable to consider proposals received after the deadline. Applicants may submit up to three session proposals.
Thank you for your interest in lending your time and talent to the American Ambulance Association’s members. We look forward to reviewing your proposal!
Submit Photos for the AAA’s 40th Anniversary!
As we prepare to celebrate the AAA’s 40th anniversary at this year’s Annual Conference & Tradeshow, we are asking for your help! If you have photos or other items commemorating your time as an AAA member from the past 40 years, or if you would like items to be included in our anniversary time capsule which will be sealed until the AAA’s 50th anniversary, please fill out this form. Submissions will be featured in an anniversary collage displayed at AAA 2019. Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 1st.
2019 Annual Call for Presentations
The American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show is continuously one of the largest inclusive gatherings of ambulance and pre-hospital care leaders, and features distinct tracks for Reimbursement and Policy, Human Resources and Operations, Government Affairs, and Executive Leadership. Our primary focus is to provide critical information that both new and established ambulance services may utilize to better serve their communities and operate their services more efficiently and profitably.
The following are general topics areas to be addressed, but other subject areas are welcome:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Program
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovations, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Format of Sessions
Sessions will range from larger audience general sessions, to smaller breakout sessions within various topic tracks. Breakout sessions may be 20 minutes, 60 minutes, or 75 minutes in length. We are accepting single speaker as well as panel discussions. Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small work groups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Proposal Instructions
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. Participation will be at your own expense for your own exposure.
To submit a presentation for consideration, please fill out our Call for Presentations online form.
Information to be included with your proposal submission:
- Name, title, organization affiliation, organization address, business phone number with area code and e-mail address.
- AAA membership status. Significant preference will be given to sessions submitted by AAA members.
- Title of proposed session.
- A detailed narrative description of the proposed session or workshop, including the following, as appropriate:
- Experience Level (basic, intermediate or advanced) of intended audience
- 50-75 word description of your presentation for marketing purposes
- Description of what your audience will be able to take away from your presentation and of what they will be able to use immediately in their business or personal life
- Recommendations, findings, or practice models for replication
- Desired session length (e.g. 20 minutes, 60 minutes, or 75 minutes).
- Experience Level of speaker/s for large national conference or audiences. Please include the event names & dates.
- Brief speaker biography and headshot.
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2019. Applicants may have more than one submission for any type of session. Audience involvement is highly encouraged.
CMS Launches Outreach Effort to Ambulance Providers & Suppliers
As part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018), the Congress instructed CMS to develop a cost collection system to collect cost and revenue data related to the provision of ambulance services. Ambulance services are defined by federal law to include all levels of emergency and non-emergency services.
CMS is in the first phase of this process. The Congress instructed the Agency to engage with stakeholders before specifying through notice and comment rulemaking the data collection system. By law, CMS is required to specify the final system by December 31, 2019. CMS must also identify the first group of providers and suppliers selected for the first representative sample by that date as well. It appears that the goal is to have the contractor develop a proposal before the 2019 rulemaking cycle which will begin next summer.
To engage with the stakeholders, CMS, through its contractor the RAND Corporation, is reaching out providers and suppliers to learn more about the costs and revenues associated with providing ambulance services.
During the American Ambulance Association’s annual meeting earlier this month, CMS through the RAND Corporation, convened a focus group where they selected several AAA members who were able to talk directly with the contractor. The discussion centered around characteristics of ambulance services that matter for determining costs. The group also talked about how data is currently captured at the state and local levels, as well as how data is tracked within ambulance services. There was also a lot of discussion about the importance of standardizing data elements and not relying upon different state or local definitions, which could confound the data and make it impossible to compare costs across states.
As we have reported previously, it is critically important that the data collected through this process is standardized and reflects the actual cost of providing ambulance services. It is important to make sure that the data is useable not only for supporting the ambulance add-ons after they next expire in 2023, but also to help implement broader reforms and innovative payment models.
CMS is now reaching out to others in the industry. If you receive an email or a phone call from RAND Corporation, please respond.
If you have questions about, or would like assistance with regard to, this project, please contact Tristan North at tnorth@ambulance.org.
NEW! AAA PreCon Workshop on Mandatory Cost Data Collection
AAA is excited to announce that this year we will be holding a full day pre-conference workshop at the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show! Join industry experts Rebecca Williamson, Angie McLain, Asbel Montes, Kathy Lester, Scott Moore, and Brian Werfel to learn what the new cost data collection mandates will require and how you and your service can get ahead of the game and prepare for these changes.
Mandatory Cost Data Collection: When Is It Happening & How to Prepare
September 5, 2018 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | MGM Grand, Las Vegas
$75 for Annual Conference attendees | $250 workshop-only
2018 federal legislation expanded Medicare cost reporting to ambulance services, although with some important differences from other Medicare reporters. Failure to meet these new reporting requirements could lead to significant sanctions including loss of Medicare revenue. In this session, we will review how we got to where we are, what the new mandates will require based on current regulations, and how best to prepare yourself and your service for the phase-in.
- To register, simply add the workshop to your cart when completing your Annual Conference registration. Register for Annual and the Workshop►
- Register only for the workshop ($250)►
- Already registered for Annual? Register for the workshop using promo code aaa2018 to receive the conference attendee discount.
Closed: 2018 Annual Conference Call for Presentations
AAA 2018 Annual Conference & Trade Show
September 6-8, 2018 at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
We are asking those individuals interested in presenting at the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Conference & Trade Show to respond to our Call for Presentations. DEADLINE EXTENDED – Submissions are due March 1.
This premier event is one of the largest inclusive gatherings of ambulance and pre-hospital care leaders, and features distinct tracks for Operations, Reimbursement and Policy, and Executive Leadership. Our primary focus continues to be providing critical information that both new and established ambulance services may utilize to better serve their communities and operate their services more efficiently and profitably. To submit a proposal, please fill out our Call for Presentations form.
The following are general topics areas to be addressed, but other subject areas are welcome:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Programs
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovations, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Format of Sessions
Sessions will range from larger audience general sessions, to smaller breakout sessions within various topic tracks. We are accepting single speaker as well as panel discussions. Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small work groups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Proposal Instructions
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. Participation will be at your own expense for your own exposure.
To submit a presentation for consideration, please fill out our Call for Presentations online form.
Information to be included with your proposal submission:
Name, title, organization affiliation, address, city, state, zip code, business phone number with area code and e-mail address
Title of proposed session
Experience level of speaker/s for large national conference or audiences. Please include the event names & dates.
A detailed narrative description of the proposed session or workshop, including the following, as appropriate:
Experience level (basic, intermediate or advanced) of intended audience
50-75 word description of your presentation for marketing purposes
Description of what your audience will be able to take away from your presentation and of what they will be able to use immediately in their business or personal life
Recommendations, findings, or practice models for replication
The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2018. Applicants may have more than one submission for any type of session. Audience involvement is highly encouraged.
2018 AAA Annual Conference Call for Presentations
AAA 2018 Annual Conference & Trade Show
September 6-8, 2018 at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
We are asking those individuals interested in presenting at the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Conference & Trade Show to respond to our Call for Presentations. Submissions are due February 16.
This premier event is one of the largest inclusive gatherings of ambulance and pre-hospital care leaders, and features distinct tracks for Operations, Reimbursement and Policy, and Executive Leadership. Our primary focus continues to be providing critical information that both new and established ambulance services may utilize to better serve their communities and operate their services more efficiently and profitably. To submit a proposal, please fill out our Call for Presentations form.
The following are general topics areas to be addressed, but other subject areas are welcome:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Programs
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovations, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health
Format of Sessions
Sessions will range from larger audience general sessions, to smaller breakout sessions within various topic tracks. We are accepting single speaker as well as panel discussions. Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small work groups. Audience involvement is encouraged.
Proposal Instructions
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. Participation will be at your own expense for your own exposure.
To submit a presentation for consideration, please fill out our Call for Presentations online form.
Information to be included with your proposal submission:
Name, title, organization affiliation, address, city, state, zip code, business phone number with area code and e-mail address
Title of proposed session
Experience level of speaker/s for large national conference or audiences. Please include the event names & dates.
A detailed narrative description of the proposed session or workshop, including the following, as appropriate:
Experience level (basic, intermediate or advanced) of intended audience
50-75 word description of your presentation for marketing purposes
Description of what your audience will be able to take away from your presentation and of what they will be able to use immediately in their business or personal life
Recommendations, findings, or practice models for replication
The deadline for submissions is February 16, 2018. Applicants may have more than one submission for any type of session. Audience involvement is highly encouraged.
2017 AMBY Nominations Now Open!
Nominations for the 2017 AMBY Awards is now open! The AMBYs recognize excellence in the ambulance profession and the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that epitomize AAA members. Honor excellence in EMS by nominating a project within a service or company for consideration.
Read the 2016 case studies to find out why we’re passionate about honoring your commitment to excellence.
Why Bring the AMBYs to Your Organization?
Share Your Knowledge with Your Peers
By entering the AMBYs you show your commitment to excellence in the ambulance industry and your willingness to share your superior accomplishments with your peers. Winners will are awarded during the AAA Awards Reception at our Annual Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas, In addition, all entries will be shared with the AAA membership on the website, in the association’s mobile event app and as an online publication.
Show Your Value to Your Community
AMBY Award winners are given the American Ambulance Association’s AMBY Award Winner logo to proudly display on their website, social media sites, and other marketing collateral to let key stakeholders know the Association recognizes your contribution to the industry as outstanding. In addition, winners will receive a press release template to send to your local press. All winners will be published in a press release sent out by the association and in a case study and winner’s gallery e-publications.
Gain Valuable Feedback
The AMBY Awards are judged by your colleagues on the AAA Professional Standards Committee. With years of collective experience the panel of committee member judges understand the challenges, opportunities and desired outcomes inherent in the EMS profession. As leaders who value creativity and innovation they can appreciate the complex demands of the industry and will provide thoughtful and useful feedback in the scoring of all entries.
Strengthen the Profession
Award-winning work helps to nurture the EMS industry’s deeply rooted culture of collaboration, cooperation and a passion for excellence in patient care. The AMBY Award Winners’ Gallery will provide an inspiring collection of winning strategies and best practices to be emulated by other AAA members.
How to Enter
AMBY Award entries are open to AAA ambulance service members and our affiliate members. All entries must include a Statement of Entry. Statements of Entry and all supporting documentation are submitted through our online form with requirements listed below. Entry materials will be retained and shared with AAA members as best practices and entrants agree that all materials may be used by the AAA for AMBY marketing purposes.
Entries will be judged by the Professional Standards Committee. Entries and will be judged against their own objectives not against each other, in 4 equally weighted areas: Goals, Planning & Implementation, Project Results and Impact. Any judge having business relations with an entrant must recuse themselves from scoring that entry. Both the high and low scores will be thrown out and remaining scores will be averaged. Work completed within the last 18 months will be eligible for entry. All Entrants will be notified of the results prior to the AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show.
Ambulance Services
Statement of Entry Requirements
Statement of Entry Requirements
- Organization
- Service Type
- Service Size
- Individuals involved in the project
- Situational Analysis
- Project Goals
- Planning & Implementation
- Project Results
- Impact
- Cost/Budget ( can be submitted as overall % to departmental budget)
Entry Categories
Entry Categories*
- Public Relations Campaign
- Community Impact Program- open to any community based program to include: Safety, Environmental, Health or Awareness Campaigns, Corporate Give Back or any other program that was designed for, or impacted your community.
- Employee Programs -can be any employee program from recruitment and retention to recognition, leadership development, training, EMS Week programs, etc.
- Quality Improvement Program
- Clinical Outcome Project
- Innovation in EMS
- Other
Fees
Fees
AAA Members: $100 per entry
Non-Members: $500 per entry
Affiliates (Vendors)
Statement of Entry Requirements
Statement of Entry Requirements
- Organization
- Product or Service Provided
- Individuals involved in the project
- Situational Analysis
- Target Demographic
- Project Goals
- Planning & Implementation
Project Results - Impact for customer
Cost/Budget (affiliate or client budgets will not be shared or published by the AAA)
Entry Categories
Entry Categories*
- Equipment/Supplies
- Consulting/Management
- Financial/Administration
- Quality/Safety
- Education/Training
- Technology/Hardware/Software
Fees
Fees
Affiliate Members: $500 per entry
Affiliate Non-Members: $1,000 per entry
Enter
Winning Affiliate entries that include work or projects involving a client that is an AAA member will receive duplicate AMBY’s and both the vendor and the client will be acknowledged as winners.
2017 AAA Annual Conference Call for Presentations
AAA 2017 Annual Conference & Trade Show
November 13-15, 2017, Caesars Palace
We are asking those individuals interested in presenting at the American Ambulance Association’s Annual Conference & Trade Show to respond to our Call for Presentations.
This premier event is one of the largest inclusive gatherings of ambulance and pre-hospital care leaders, and features distinct tracks for Workforce Management, Reimbursement and Policy, and Executive Leadership. Our primary focus continues to be providing critical information that both new and established ambulance services may utilize to better serve their communities and operate their services more efficiently and profitably. To submit a proposal, please fill out our Call for Presentations form.
The following are general topics areas to be addressed but other subject areas are welcome:
- Recruitment, Retention, and Human Resources
- Operations, Risk Management and Safety
- Management and Supervision
- Leadership Development & Structure
- Improved Fleet Maintenance/Management
- Clinical/Quality Assurance Program
- Reimbursement/Patient Accounts
- Innovations, Technology, and Communications
- Emerging Healthcare Trends/Hot Topics
- Healthcare Reform/Public Health/Partnering with ACO’s
Format of Sessions:
Sessions, unless otherwise requested, are 75 minutes including Q&A. We are accepting single speaker as well as panel discussions. Sessions may be either classroom style or set for small workgroups. Hands-on workgroups and audience involvement is preferred. Individual speakers are encouraged to speak from the floor and interact with the audience. Powerpoints are optional but audience takeaways are highly encouraged.
Proposal Instructions:
Please be advised that participation as a presenter is strictly on a voluntary basis. AAA is unable to pay speaker fees or travel and lodging expenses. Participation will be at your own expense for your own exposure and promotion.
Information to be included on your proposal:
- Name, title, organization affiliation, address, city, state, zip code, business phone number with area code and e-mail address.
- AAA membership status. It is not necessary to be a member of AAA to submit a session proposal. However, some preference will be given to AAA members.
- Title of proposed session
- Experience Level of speaker/s for large national conference or audiences. Please include the event names & dates
- A detailed narrative description of the proposed session or workshop, including the following, as appropriate:
- Experience Level (basic, intermediate or advanced) of intended audience
- Recommendations, findings or practice models for replication
- Describe what your audience will be able to take away from your presentation and be able to use immediately in their business or personal life.
- 50-75 word description of your presentation for marketing purposes
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2017. Applicants may have more than one submission for any type of session. Audience involvement is highly encouraged.
2016 AAA Award Winners Announced
The AAA is proud to announce this year’s award winners. Awards will be presented at the AAA Annual Conference and Tradeshow Awards Reception on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Please join us in congratulating the winners.
J. Walter Schaefer Award
Randy Strozyk, American Medical Response
The J. Walter Schaefer Award is given annually to an individual whose work in EMS has contributed positively to the advancement of the industry as a whole. Randy has achieved this through his tireless dedication and service to the industry and his role in elevating the association and its members to national prominence.
Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award
Julie Rose, Community Care Ambulance
The Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the first Executive Director of the American Ambulance Association. It recognizes a volunteer leader who has made a significant long-term impact on the association. Julie has held numerous leadership positions in the AAA including Membership Committee Chair, Region III Director and Alternate Director. Julie has worked tirelessly to get members of her Region to join the AAA, knowing that it is important to participate in the national organization to be part of the team finding solutions to today’s challenges in EMS.
President’s Award
Jon Howell, Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (HEMSI)
Asbel Montes, Acadian Ambulance Service
David Tetrault, St. Francois County Ambulance District
These awards are given by the President to volunteer leaders who have shown commitment to the advancement of the AAA above and beyond the call of duty. This year the three outstanding volunteers represent tireless work on behalf of the AAA.
Jon Howell has served as the chair of the AAA’s nominating committee for 4 years and in that time has worked to grown the involvement of our members to participate in the AAA nominating and election process. Asbel Montes has worked tirelessly as Co-Chair of the Payment Reform Committee, and David Tetrault has served as a Region IV Board or Director as well as an active participant on the Membership and Education Committee. AAA President Hall was quoted as saying, “this award is given by the sole discretion of the President of the AAA and I cannot think of three more deserving individuals than Jon, Asbel and David. No matter what I have asked them to do for the AAA, they have taken on the task with determination, commitment and a level of servant leadership rarely seen anymore.”
Distinguished Service Award
Brian Choate, Solutions Group
Kathy Lester, MPH, JD, Lester Health Law & AAA Healthcare Consultant
Scott Moore, Esq., EMS Resource Advisors LLC & AAA Human Resources Consultant
Brian Werfel, Esq., Werfel & Werfel, PLLC & AAA Medicare Consultant
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to award Brian Choate, Kathy Lester, Scott Moore, and Brian Werfel with 2016 Distinguished Service Awards.
The Regional Workshop team worked countless hours to create the content for the four compliance, billing and reimbursement policy workshops that were presented throughout the country. The workshops were designed to help all types of services structure their billing departments more maximum efficiency and integrity.
It is for this dedication of the team members to the AAA that we are proud to recognize Brian Choate, Kathy Lester, Scott Moore, and Brian Werfel with the 2016 Distinguished Service Award.
Partner of the Year Award
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)
The Partner of the Year Award is given to an EMS partner whose collaboration with the AAA enhances educational programs, legislative priorities and/or member benefits. This pas year the NAEMT has partnered with the AAA on numerous projects including Medicare Relief, EMS Compass and most recently issues a joint statement regarding Payment Reform Policies for EMS.
Affiliate of the Year Award
AVESTA
The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to award Avesta with the 2016 Affiliate of the Year Award. The award is given to the vendor whose supports the programs of the association. Avesta is dedicated to solely to the practice of Human Capital Management and the development of solutions that meet the unique human resource challenges of their EMS clients. This year’s Affiliate winner has shown unconditional support of the AAA Stars of Life Program. The Stars of Life event, held annually in Washington, D.C., publically recognized and celebrates the achievements and exceptional work of EMS professionals.
AAA 2015: Afterburner CEO, Survivor Contestant to Keynote
AAA is delighted to announce that one of our Annual Conference & Tradeshow keynotes will be James “Murph” Murphy, Founder & CEO of Afterburner. Murph will be joined by Terry “TD” Deitz, contestant on this season’s Survivor!
James “Murph” Murphy
James “Murph” Murphy, the Founder & CEO of Afterburner, Inc., has a unique and powerful mix of leadership skills in both the military and business worlds. Murph joined the U.S. Air Force where he learned to fly the F-15. He logged over 1,200 hours as an instructor pilot in the F-15 and accumulated over 3,200 hours of flight time in other high-performance aircraft.
As the 116th Fighter Wing’s Chief of Training for the Georgia Air National Guard, Murph’s job was to keep 42 combat-trained fighter pilots ready to deploy worldwide within 72 hours. As a flight leader, he flew missions to Central America, Asia, Central Europe and the Middle East.
Prior to his service in the U.S. Air Force, Murph had a successful career in imaging equipment sales, where he helped increase his company’s sales by 500%. Years later, he became Director of Sales for a small paint company. The concepts he developed and utilized in business and the U.S. Air Force would become known as Flawless Execution®. Applying Flawless Execution’s continuous cycle of planning, briefing, executing, and debriefing, he increased his new employer’s sales from $5 million to $52 million per year. Realizing that all companies and organizations could benefit from these same concepts, Murph started Afterburner Incorporated in early 1996.
Through his leadership, Afterburner landed on Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500 List” twice. Murph has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Inc. Magazine, Newsweek, Meetings & Conventions Magazine and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and Bloomberg News. He was also named as one of Atlanta’s top 50 entrepreneurs by Catalyst Magazine. To date, the Afterburner team of elite military professionals has led over 1 million executives, sales professionals, and business people from every industry through Afterburner’s Flawless Execution ModelSM, and its unique, high-energy programs.
Murph and the Afterburner team have shared the podium with notable speakers like Bill Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Marcus Buckingham, Colin Powell, J.W. Marriott Sr. and Terry Bradshaw. Murph serves as a panel member of the League of Extraordinary Minds with business and self-improvement gurus such as Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey. He is the author of the six groundbreaking books, including Flawless Execution (2005), Down Range (2013), and Courage to Execute (2014) through Harper Collins publishing, and has spoken at many of the world’s most notable business schools to include Harvard, Wharton, Cornell, Emory, Duke and Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
Terry “TD” Deitz
Fighter pilot, Business Owner, T.V. Host, Airline Captain, Coach, Motivational Speaker, Inventor, Philanthropist and one of our most Dynamic Speakers, Terry “TD” Deitz is an expert at finding the time to constantly pursue Flawless Execution in everything he does.TD has hosted, produced and appeared on television shows on CBS’s, SURVIVOR, the History Channel’s, Modern Marvels, and the Discovery Channel’s, Great Planes, and as one of Afterburners Main Speakers has worked with hundreds of outstanding companies and organizations. As a retired Navy Fighter Pilot, TD brings the right perspective of how a company can leverage Flawless Execution in every facet of their operation and execution. “There is not a more powerful model out there then the Flawless Execution Cycle, it will propel your business at mach speed to the top of your business space, and….keep it there!” His favorite part of the model, the Debrief.
TD, attended United States Naval Academy from ’78-’82, honing his leadership skills on and off the baseball diamond. His Academy experience culminated in a “Sweet Sixteen” baseball appearance and a degree in Meteorology.
Prior to flight school, TD qualified as Officer of the Deck, on the world’s longest Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, ths USS Enterprise (CVN-65), one of the youngest officers ever to do so. In 1984, he accepted orders to Navy Flight School and follow on assignment to fly the F-14 Tomcat, made famous in the movie, TopGun. He spent 3 years of his life deployed on aircraft carriers around the world. “I had the honor of operating with some of the world’s best leaders, mentors, and fighter pilots, who had a large part in defining how I conduct my life and business affairs.”
TD has been a valued member of the Afterburner team since 2007 and is busy working initiatives involving University level education, Debriefs, and the utilization of the Flawless Execution Model in College Athletics. “Good leadership in the boardroom, in planning sessions, and out in the field, requires consistency and good habits. Flawless Execution will equip your organization with the tools and processes needed to be both consistent and forward leaning, and at the top of whatever space you are operating in!”
See Afterburner at AAA Annual Conference & Tradeshow in Las Vegas, November 1–3!
HHS OIG Report Discussion Added to Annual Conference
Late breaking AAA Conference update:
In order to address a Medicare reimbursement issue we feel is critical, AAA has decided to modify the Tuesday afternoon conference session being led by Brian S. Werfel, Esq.
Instead of covering medicare audits in this session, Mr. Werfel will now be leading an in depth discussion about a recent OIG Report on Questionable Billing Practices. The originally schedule session on preparing for medicare audits will be offered as a webinar. Further information about this new conference session is provided below.
Understanding the Recent OIG Report on Questionable Billing Practices
On September 29, 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General released a report on “Inappropriate Payments and Question Billing for Part B Ambulance Transports”. The report concluded that Medicare paid $24.2 million during the first half of 2012 for ambulance transports that did not meet Medicare program requirements.
In this special session, AAA Medicare Consultant Brian S. Werfel, Esq. will breakdown the OIG’s report, with special attention being paid to each of the 7 billing practices the OIG identified as “questionable”. The session will include strategies that companies can implement to avoid these practices. Brian will also discuss ongoing OIG enforcement activities related to the issues identified in this report. The session will conclude with a Question & Answer period.