Melissa Socarras
East Brunswick
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Patient Financial Services Manager
University Radiology Group
01.2022 - Current
- Communicate and collaborate with insurance providers, staff, and patients to resolve complex issues and inquiries in a timely manner.
- Analyze payer contracts, identify trends, and provide data-driven recommendations to optimize reimbursement and reduce denials.
- Design, implement, and enforce policies and strategies to improve staff efficiency, ensure compliance, and maximize patient and insurance reimbursement accuracy.
- Monitor and report key revenue cycle performance metrics, including denials, patient/insurance payments, monthly adjustments, A/R days outstanding, and vendor ROI.
- Partnered with the Revenue Cycle Director to establish a new Self-Pay Collections role, streamlining procedures, enhancing EDI system logic, and strengthening vendor collaboration with Experian.
- Compile department-specific reports to help senior managers identify trends and improve progress.
- Managed and developed revenue cycle staff, including recruitment, training, performance auditing, payroll tracking, and corrective action to drive accountability and results.
- Delivered timely information to insurance representatives to resolve common and complex issues.
- Design and implement successful workflows and process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across departmental operations.
Patient Account Supervisor
Hackensack Meridian Health
11.2016 - 01.2022
- Directed all departmental functions, including insurance billing, claims follow-up, preadmission verification/clearance, goal-setting, and staff productivity monitoring.
- Designed and implemented successful workflows and process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across departmental operations.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Facilitated weekly staff meetings to review A/R aging, credit balances, denial trends, payer contracts, billing procedures, and departmental concerns.
- Processed and approved account adjustments, refunds, and money transfers to maintain financial accuracy.
- Analyzed and managed A/R reports in collaboration with the hospital finance department to ensure timely collections and resolution.
- Built highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Prepared reports detailing billing actions, flags, and other key information.
- Epic Certified in Hospital Billing, Access/Registration, and Transfer Center.
Reimbursement Supervisor
Option Care
03.2011 - 11.2016
- Audited daily claims to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Collaborated with senior leadership in monthly meetings to optimize workflow processes.
- Supported month-end closing procedures, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
- Prepared and analyzed financial reports, including a monthly A/R analysis report, and bad debt action plans.
- Oversaw core business functions such as billing, collections, departmental goal-setting, and employee productivity tracking.
- Reviewed and approved account adjustments and refunds.
- Led weekly staff meetings to address credit balances, denial trends, payer contracts, and departmental operations.
- Monitored and followed up on A/R reports, ensuring timely resolution of outstanding balances with third-party payers.
- Recruited, interviewed, hired, and trained departmental staff.
Education
Certificate - Medical Billing and Coding
Advantage Career Institute
West Long Branch, NJ05.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Media Arts
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ01.2006
Skills
- Epic Systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and Outlook proficiency
- Strong knowledge of payer contracts, Medicare/Medicaid, and commercial insurance reimbursement
- HIPAA, CMS regulations, and healthcare compliance expertise
- Revenue cycle metrics analysis: A/R days, denial rates, collection percentages, cash posting
- Leadership and team management, including staff development and performance oversight
- Financial analysis and KPI reporting to drive operational improvements
- Problem-solving and resolution of payer disputes, denials, and patient financial issues
- Effective communication with staff, patients, providers, payers, and senior leadership
- Process improvement: workflow design, policy development, and efficiency optimization
- HIPAA Compliance
- Medical Communication
- Appeals and Redeterminations
Certification
CRCP - Certified Revenue Cycle Professional - Issued December 2023 from the American Association Of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
Timeline
Patient Financial Services Manager
University Radiology Group
01.2022 - Current
Patient Account Supervisor
Hackensack Meridian Health
11.2016 - 01.2022
Reimbursement Supervisor
Option Care
03.2011 - 11.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Media Arts
New Jersey City University
Certificate - Medical Billing and Coding
Advantage Career Institute
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