Get to Know PHP’s Director of Medical Management
Michelle Creager joined PHP on September 11, 2017 as the Director of Medical Management. A CPA by trade, she was a medical office practice manager for 12 years before joining the PHP team. She loves what PHP stands for and its small company family feel.
Read on to get to know a little more about Michelle, her role at PHP, and a few fun facts!
Let’s Get the Facts
How did you first learn about the Director of Medical Management position at PHP?
A colleague of Michelle’s saw it posted on LinkedIn and told her he thought she should take a look!
What made you want to join our team?
Michelle has always found PHP’s reputation in the community to be amazing. She found every interaction from a provider standpoint to be very pleasant. She loves that when you talk to customer service you get to speak to a live person and each representative is friendly and helpful. It was important to Michelle to stay in the medical field and PHP seemed like a great fit!
What do you find most rewarding about working at PHP?
Michelle finds that by helping members, she is able to help PHP at the same time. Usually what is best for the patient, both financially and / or medically, is what is best for PHP. She is proud to say that PHP puts the member first—it’s not about finding the cheapest or quickest solution. She enjoys working with people who care about the members as if they were their own family, and helping them put all the pieces together—right care, right price with the right provider and the right facility. “What we portray to the community is truly how we live here at PHP.”
How would you describe your role at PHP to someone who doesn’t work in health insurance?
Michelle oversees Medical Management, which houses all of the nurses, doctors and the pharmacy department. There are two branches: for members who are going get a procedure done, the Medical Management team works with the provider to determine if it is medically necessary (appropriate care). The second branch is care management; the team works with members who have risk factors for a disease or have been newly diagnosed with a disease. They help navigate and advocate for those members.
What does leadership look like to you?
According to Michelle, a good leader is approachable, willing to listen, and has an even keel. They should be willing to teach people and try to better them. Honesty is also a very important quality.
Shifting Gears, Here’s Some Favorites
What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
Michelle recalls a family vacation to Panama City with her husband and 4 children. They enjoy visiting beaches in both Alabama and Florida.
What is your favorite thing to do in Fort Wayne?
With her family, Michelle enjoys going out to eat and going to TinCaps and Komets games. More often than not, their activities revolve around their kids’ sports at Bishop Luers, or other Bishop Luers events.
Do you have any pets?
A new puppy named Rosco, a terrier and husky mix. “He is feisty and 110% puppy!”
Do you have a life motto or mantra?
Everything happens for a reason. Also, never a dull moment!
Thank you Michelle for the great work you are doing and for representing PHP with great leadership and excitement.
