Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa Nicholas serves as a Pharmacy Benefit Manager in the healthcare sector at Centene. In this role, she manages members' pharmacy benefits by explaining cost sharing accumulation, plan details, formulary coverage, prior authorization requirements, and both internal and external appeal processes. Nicholas began her career after completing school, motivated by her family's health issues, initially working at Eckerts before its acquisition by CVS, followed by positions at OptumRx and her current role at Centene. She attributes her professional drive to personal experiences, including her daughter's transplant at age four and her own lymphoma diagnosis sixteen years ago, when she was given six months to live. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Nicholas is an active choir and church member who donates annually to Shriners Hospital and often advises family members on healthcare matters.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
My daughter had a transplant when she was 4. Being diagnosed with lymphoma 16 years ago and being told that I only had 6 months to live and to still be here is my drive, because I could be gone.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mom always told me if you find what you're good at and do it you'll never work a day in your life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Always listen to the member, to the patient. Listening to them. The empathy that they hear from you, it entails a lot of how they can put their trust in you. If they can trust what you're saying to that's so in line with what the healthcare guidelines are saying. The way you speak to a person using positive words, your tone, it states a lot. It matters. Gaining the trust of patients and members are very important starting out in healthcare to me.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
When members have to cancel their coverage because they can no longer afford to pay for insurance. When someone can't get their medications because they have to coverage or having to tell members your insurance doesn't cover this. It's challenging
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My moral values are important to me as well as my family.
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