Healthcare strategy · Clinical research · Financial performance
Healthcare finance and clinical research transformation. Built for the work ahead.
I help healthcare leaders see where revenue, reimbursement, research finance, and operations break down—then design and lead the work to fix them.
Melissa Frierson, MBA | 23+ years in healthcare | Serving organizations nationwide
The architect approach
Assess the problem.
Design the controls.
Lead the change.
National expertise · Hands-on implementation
Serving Healthcare Organizations Nationwide
Melissa Frierson, MBA provides healthcare financial strategy, clinical research finance, reimbursement optimization, revenue cycle transformation, and operational improvement services to healthcare organizations across the United States.
With more than 23 years of experience spanning healthcare finance, research administration, revenue integrity, reimbursement strategy, and operational transformation, Melissa partners with hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, research institutions, provider organizations, and healthcare technology companies to improve financial performance and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Featured specialty
Clinical Research Finance
Clinical research finance consulting for study budgets, sponsor/CRO payments, invoicing, receivables, and financial controls across the study lifecycle.
Explore service →Featured specialty
Clinical Trial Billing Compliance
Clinical trial billing compliance consulting support examines billing instructions, research charge routing, exception controls, and financial reconciliation.
Explore service →Featured specialty
Medicare Coverage Analysis
Medicare coverage analysis consulting support aligns qualified coverage review, study budgets, billing grids, research finance, and operational handoffs.
Explore service →Areas of Expertise
- Healthcare Operational Transformation
- Healthcare Finance
- Clinical Research Finance
- Revenue Cycle Transformation
- Medicare Coverage Analysis
- Clinical Trial Billing Compliance
- Reimbursement Strategy
- Revenue Integrity
Industries Served
Nationwide Reach
Serving clients throughout the United States, including these selected markets and other healthcare markets nationwide.
Nationwide services →What I solve
When important work is stuck between teams, I bring it into focus.
I investigate the financial and operational picture, organize the evidence, align decision makers, and guide implementation across functions.
Clinical Research Finance & Operations
Bring study budgets, coverage decisions, sponsor/CRO payments, payer billing, and closeout into one accountable financial workflow.
Explore focus areaRevenue & Reimbursement Transformation
Identify denials, underpayments, aging receivables, and process gaps; then coordinate the people and controls needed to address them.
Explore focus areaFinancial Strategy & Implementation
Translate complex financial and operating data into decisions, redesigned processes, clear ownership, and measurable action.
Explore focus areaFeatured specialty
Clinical research has two revenue streams. Both need control.
Sponsor and CRO obligations run alongside insurance and Medicare reimbursement. I help leaders examine how protocol, budget, coverage decisions, billing instructions, invoices, claims, and cash connect across the study lifecycle.
The starting point is a Dual-Stream Financial & Billing Control Assessment : identify gaps, clarify ownership, and build a practical improvement plan. Specialized coverage analysis and clinical decisions remain with qualified team members.
Healthcare finance
Turn financial friction into decisions and action.
From denials and underpayments to service line performance and financial visibility, I help organizations determine what is happening, what it costs, who owns the solution, and how to implement it.
Engagements can include an assessment, a defined transformation project, or interim advisory leadership.
Who I serve
Healthcare organizations with complex financial work to move forward.
The scope begins with the challenge your organization faces. I work with leadership and the people closest to the work to understand the gaps and carry solutions into practice.
Hospitals & health systems
Systemwide financial visibility, service line performance, reimbursement, and cross-team implementation.
Academic medical centers & research programs
Study budgets, sponsor/CRO revenue, coverage and billing handoffs, receivables, and research finance controls.
Physician groups & ambulatory care
Revenue cycle workflow, denials, payer performance, financial planning, and operational capacity.
Community & post-acute providers
Cash flow, reimbursement, billing performance, financial controls, and practical operating changes.
Common questions
Working together
How do we start?
Send a short inquiry describing the financial or operational challenge. I will review it and contact you to discuss scope and an appropriate next step. The inquiry form does not book an appointment.
What types of engagements do you offer?
Work may begin with an assessment and continue as a defined implementation project or interim advisory engagement. Scope is agreed after we discuss the organization’s needs.
Do you work with organizations outside South Carolina?
Yes. I serve healthcare organizations nationwide and can discuss the working arrangement that fits the project.
How should we share sensitive information?
Keep patient information and confidential records out of the public inquiry form. We can arrange an appropriate secure exchange after we connect.
Where do existing clients sign in?
Use Client Login in the header or footer to open the Executive Client Workspace.
About Melissa
Experience to see the whole system. Leadership to move it forward.
Melissa Frierson, MBA brings 23+ years of healthcare finance, reimbursement, revenue cycle, compliance, and operations experience to complex organizational work. She connects the financial facts with the processes, systems, and people behind them.
Learn more about MelissaDiscuss your challenge