Melinda R. Short Russell

Melinda R. Short Russell is a highly experienced and talented Reimbursement Specialist with over 12 years of industry related expertise in the healthcare revenue cycle management field with a specialized medical reimbursement track record. She is problem solver and brainstorm analyzer. She pays attention to detail, a passionate thinker with a positive outlook on life, which can make a substantial difference to any organization.

• Skills:                                                                   
• ICD-9-CM
• CPT-10
• HCPCS
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• HIPAA Compliance Officer
• Medical Billing
• Medical Coding Medical Terminology
• Medical Insurance
• Online Claim Submission
• Payment Posting
• EOB Processing & Appeals Medical Software (CollaborateMD, PerfectCare, Lytec, Medisoft, E-Clinical, Kareo, Medicare DDE Software/PCACE Pro32
• Internet
• 10-Key
• Training Billing Personnel

Experience:

• Manage and perform billing and reconciliation procedures
• Manage collections department on all collections and appeals procedures
• Create and submit reports weekly to clients on all billed claims
• Filing of all Secondary and Tertiary claims with proper follow-up
• Credentialing
• Contracting with Payers & renegotiate payer contracts
• Provide code analysis of ICD-9-CM, CPT-4, HCPCS Level II & III and DSM-IV-TM Codes
• Oversee Monthly Chart Audit procedures
• Provide onsite accounts receivable recovery services and practice efficiency analysis of practices
• Educate billing, accounts receivables and collections staff on insurance updates, denial issues to prevent further time lapse on claims
• Perform direct collections duties such as: claims resubmissions, providing proof of timely filing, follow-up calls on delinquent insurance payments or patient payments, (aging), E.O.B. requests for additional information, file appeal letters, 15-day demand letters for Auto-injury claims, appeal downwardly adjusted payments and assess interest to overdue balances
• Resolve billing issues and implement new operational policy standards that improve work and cash flow
• Make financial arrangements and draw contracts and promissory notes with patients.
• Licensed Massage Therapist, Esthetician, Colon Hydro-therapist, medical biller, CPC, CPC-H Certified Coder, office manager, business manager, scheduler, trainer. Managed Six Massage Therapist, two Estheticians, two Acupuncture Physicians and two Certified Personal Trainers.  Attended business network meetings with BNI and Fish Hawk Network Group, mailed correspondence to patients, managed and placed advertisements, coordinated and participated at job fairs.  Sponsored local charity and business events for the Brandon Community.
• Owner &Operator of multi-specialty medical billing firm, provided contracting, credentialing, claims processing, accounts receivable recovery, onsite-claims clean up services to Ambulatory Surgery Centers, DME, Podiatry, L.M.H.C MRI Facility, C.O.R.F. (s), Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Pain Management Practices.
• Billing Dept. Manager &Sr. Reimbursement Specialist, Coder, Biller for a medical billing company, processing claims, working on backlog of claims from clients, payment posting, EOB trend monitoring, research, and educated staff on coding initiatives.  Filed appeals on partial payments and claims denial.

Education:

• Bachelors in Science – Biomedical
• Associates in Arts – Medical Science
• Diploma in Skin Care
• Diploma in Massage Therapy and Colon Health
• Independent Study for Coding Certification
• Continuing Education Units 24 per year (AAPC)