Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Michelle Montenegro

Maricopa,AZ

Summary

Dedicated Health Care Customer Service Professional with extensive experience in team leadership and effective communication. Proven track record in training and delivering compassionate service in high-pressure environments. Eager to leverage skills in problem-solving and strategic planning to support and enhance patient care services.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Pharmacy Customer Service Advocate

Optum Rx
10.2025 - Current

Facilitated prescription order processing for internal and external customers.

Processing claims, assisting with payments and benefit inquiries and looking into the member's formulary.

High volume calls, and navigating across multiple systems and consistently meeting and exceeding core operational metrics.

Owner/Operator

Small But Mighty In-Home Daycare
02.2021 - 10.2025
  • Managed daily operations, finances, and compliance for in-home daycare, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment
  • Operated daycare services with a focus on safety, emotional development, and learning
  • Promoted daycare services through local advertising and community events, maintaining budgets, and collecting payments
  • Communicate effectively with parents and address concerns professionally
  • Operated daycare services with a focus on safety, emotional development, and learning
  • Maintained daily records and collaborated with parents on child progress

Patient Access Care Specialist - Team Lead

Banner Health Corporate Center
02.2018 - 02.2021
  • Registered patients, verified insurance, and secured authorizations for procedures to enhance service delivery
  • Monitored call quality and handled escalated calls to ensure team compliance and maintain service standards
  • Monitored call quality, handled escalated calls, and ensured team compliance
  • Delivered compassionate service while efficiently managing high call volumes to support patient needs
  • Collaborated with healthcare professionals to provide quality care for clients.

Home Childcare Provider

Small But Mighty In Home Daycare
05.2016 - 02.2018
  • Provided nurturing care and supervision to children, fostering a safe environment for development.
  • Developed and implemented age-appropriate educational activities promoting social and cognitive skills.
  • Maintained clear communication with parents regarding child progress and daily activities.
  • Organized and managed daily schedules, ensuring consistency in routines and activities.
  • Monitored children's health and safety, promptly addressing any concerns or issues that arose.

Referral Coordinator & Surgery Scheduler

Practice Max
11.2013 - 01.2015
  • Facilitated communication between insurance companies, providers, and patients to ensure seamless referrals
  • Coordinated surgery and procedure scheduling while overseeing patient documentation for accuracy and completeness
  • Coordinated patient referrals, ensuring timely and accurate processing of requests.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with external providers for effective communication.
  • Managed appointment scheduling, optimizing provider availability and patient flow.
  • Implemented streamlined referral processes, enhancing operational efficiency within the practice.

Medical Receptionist & Surgery Scheduler

Tempe New Day Surgery Center
01.2012 - 11.2013
  • Provided administrative support and facilitated smooth office operations.
  • Managed patient scheduling and appointment confirmations to optimize clinic workflow.
  • Handled patient inquiries and concerns, providing exceptional customer service and support.
  • Processed insurance verification and billing inquiries for accurate financial transactions.

Receptionist

Solterra Senior Living
08.2011 - 03.2012
  • Managed front desk operations, ensuring smooth guest check-in and check-out processes.
  • Coordinated communication between departments to enhance resident services and satisfaction.
  • Maintained accurate appointment schedules for residents, staff, and visitors using scheduling software.

Administrative Assistant

Gould Staffing
07.2008 - 01.2010
  • Coordinated office operations and maintained organized filing systems to enhance efficiency.
  • Managed scheduling and calendar appointments for executives, ensuring optimal time management.
  • Oversaw inventory management of office supplies, optimizing procurement processes to reduce costs.

Administrative Front Office Assistant

AZ Arrhythmia Consultants
01.2003 - 06.2004
  • Managed patient scheduling and appointment coordination to optimize office efficiency.
  • Assisted in maintaining accurate medical records using electronic health record systems.
  • Facilitated communication between patients and healthcare providers, enhancing service delivery.
  • Streamlined front office operations by implementing process improvements for patient intake procedures.

Medical Secretary

Tri City Cardiology
02.2001 - 01.2003
  • Managed patient scheduling and appointment coordination to optimize office workflow.
  • Facilitated communication between medical staff and patients, ensuring clarity of information.
  • Processed insurance claims and verified coverage to streamline billing procedures.
  • Assisted in training new staff on administrative protocols and office procedures.
  • Developed standard operating procedures to enhance office organization and service delivery.
  • Managed front desk operations efficiently while greeting patients warmly and addressing their concerns professionally.
  • Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.

Patient Service Specialist

Cigna Healthcare
09.1999 - 02.2001
  • Verified patient benefits, coordinated surgery scheduling, and managed patient intake and payments
  • Provided exceptional patient support through effective communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Managed patient inquiries and resolved issues using Cigna's proprietary systems.
  • Collaborated with healthcare providers to enhance patient experience and streamline processes.
  • Coordinated scheduling and appointment confirmations to maximize operational efficiency.
  • Trained new team members on workflow processes and customer service best practices.
  • Ensured HIPAA compliance by maintaining strict confidentiality of patient information while handling sensitive documents.

Education

Christian Ministries & Psychology -

Arizona Christian University
Phoenix
01-2009

High School Diploma - undefined

Heritage Academy
Mesa, Az
01-1999

Skills

  • Healthcare Customer Service
  • Patient Records Management
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Workflow Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Time Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Training
  • Excellent Communication
  • Strategic planning
  • Dependability
  • Strong work ethic
  • Conflict Resolution

Timeline

Pharmacy Customer Service Advocate

Optum Rx
10.2025 - Current

Owner/Operator

Small But Mighty In-Home Daycare
02.2021 - 10.2025

Patient Access Care Specialist - Team Lead

Banner Health Corporate Center
02.2018 - 02.2021

Home Childcare Provider

Small But Mighty In Home Daycare
05.2016 - 02.2018

Referral Coordinator & Surgery Scheduler

Practice Max
11.2013 - 01.2015

Medical Receptionist & Surgery Scheduler

Tempe New Day Surgery Center
01.2012 - 11.2013

Receptionist

Solterra Senior Living
08.2011 - 03.2012

Administrative Assistant

Gould Staffing
07.2008 - 01.2010

Administrative Front Office Assistant

AZ Arrhythmia Consultants
01.2003 - 06.2004

Medical Secretary

Tri City Cardiology
02.2001 - 01.2003

Patient Service Specialist

Cigna Healthcare
09.1999 - 02.2001

High School Diploma - undefined

Heritage Academy

Christian Ministries & Psychology -

Arizona Christian University
Michelle Montenegro