MELISSA BELL
Grain Valley,MO
Summary
Detail-oriented Patient Access and Clinic Financial Specialist with strong medical insurance expertise. Manages patient services and revenue cycle operations, addressing insurance inquiries and resolving billing issues efficiently. Facilitates prior authorizations and assists patients in navigating medical bills and managing accounts receivable to ensure continuous care funding.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinic Financial Navigation
American Oncology Network (AON)
Kansas City, MO
01.2024 - 09.2026
- Collaborated with insurance carriers to submit precise prior authorization requests for high-cost IV chemotherapy and immunotherapy in OncoEMR, enhancing treatment access for patients.
- Analyzed coverage rules for Medicare Parts B, C, D, Medicaid, and private plans to ensure compliance and optimize patient benefit utilization.
- Assisted clinic teammates in resolving complex denials, medical necessity inquiries, and financial clearance issues, improving overall workflow and patient support.
- Acted as main contact for patients, answering insurance questions, explaining benefits, and clarifying complex medical bills.
Revenue Cycle & Patient Financial Specialist
Oncology Specialty & Private Physician Offices
Greater Kansas City Area, MO
08.2020 - 04.2025
- Supported end-to-end revenue cycle tasks by handling front-end and back-end RCM work in athena IDX, including patient registration, front-desk intake, insurance verification, and claim submission.
- Maintained patient accounts receivable by establishing payment plans and resolving outstanding balances in compliance with regulations.
- Provided customer service as primary contact for oncology billing inquiries, clearly explaining financial responsibilities and charge details.
- Assisted patients in securing funding by identifying alternative sources, grants, and drug replacement programs.
Financial Navigator / Patient Access Coordinator
Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Research Medical Center
Kansas City, MO
08.2014 - 12.2024
- Navigated patient finances: Guided patients with complex cancer diagnoses through financial journey, addressing billing questions to alleviate financial anxiety.
- Coordinated authorizations: Managed start-to-finish authorization process using Meditech, ensuring medical necessity criteria met before care commencement.
- Overturned denials: Collected clinical documentation and collaborated with nursing teams to appeal and reverse urgent insurance denials.
- Researched funding options: Identified and secured alternative foundations and co-pay assistance funding to lower patient out-of-pocket costs.
Education
High School Diploma -
Grain Valley High School
Grain Valley, MOSkills
- EMR/EHR systems: OncoEMR, Athena Health, Meditech
- Billing and practice management
- Patient access and intake
- Claims processing
- Patient registration
- Patient financial counseling
- Insurance inquiry resolution
- Revenue cycle management
- Accounts receivable management
- Prior authorization
- Medicare and Medicaid regulations
- Patient assistance programs
- Financial Clearance
Timeline
Clinic Financial Navigation
American Oncology Network (AON)
01.2024 - 09.2026
Revenue Cycle & Patient Financial Specialist
Oncology Specialty & Private Physician Offices
08.2020 - 04.2025
Financial Navigator / Patient Access Coordinator
Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Research Medical Center
08.2014 - 12.2024
High School Diploma -
Grain Valley High School