The financial realities of EMS are complex, and leaders must understand how to sustain their agency while meeting community needs. This workshop provides a comprehensive look at EMS budgeting, reimbursement, and financial planning. Participants will explore the true cost of EMS operations—including differences between part-time, full-time, and volunteer staffing models—and learn strategies for presenting these costs effectively to municipal boards. The session will cover the EMS revenue cycle, payer mix, pricing strategies, and decisions about whether to outsource billing, with emphasis on proper oversight of third-party billers. Attendees will also examine collection practices, balancing financial recovery with community trust. Finally, the workshop will provide tools for future financial planning, including estimating expansions, drafting proposals for new programs, interpreting financial reports, and exploring innovative funding models and advocacy approaches.

Member Price: $100

Non-Member Price: $150

Accreditation: While all 2026 WEMSA Conference class sessions are CAPCE accredited (and thereby usable CEUs for State AND NREMT relicensing purposes), some of our courses have also been approved for NAAC CEU credits. This course has been approved for 4 NAAC CEUs which could be used towards the following certifications:

1. Certified Ambulance Coder (CAC)
2. Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO)
3. Certified Ambulance Financial Officer (CAFO)
4. Certified Ambulance Privacy Officer (CAPO)