Melissa Christiansen

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield, I perform behavioral health prior-authorization, concurrent, and discharge reviews across IOP, PHP, residential, and inpatient care for a multi-state population.

I apply medical-necessity criteria, evidence-based standards, and regulatory requirements to support defensible utilization decisions, continuity of care, and discharge-timeline compliance. I also manage complex member case management, assessments, individualized care plans, and coordination of behavioral and medical services.

I train and onboard team members on utilization-review workflows and documentation standards, contribute to quality-improvement and risk-reduction initiatives, and partner with physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, providers, and payer partners on high-acuity cases.

Earlier, I provided individual, family, and group psychotherapy at Bridging Harts Institute & Psychotherapy, using CBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, biofeedback, and other evidence-based approaches. My background in policy formation, training, cross-sector partnerships, and program leadership continues to shape how I strengthen clinical quality and compliance.