Melissa A. Scholes, MD
Specialties: Children's Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT Children's Craniofacial and Trauma Surgery
Gender: Female
Biography: Dr. Scholes grew up in several areas of the country and was lucky to end up in Mississippi in high school where she went on to complete her undergraduate degree with honors at University of Southern Mississippi and her medical degree at UMMC. Dr. Scholes completed her residency training at University of Colorado Hospital and pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Ohio State University. Prior to joining UMMC, Dr. Scholes was at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
At UMMC, Dr. Scholes is a member of our pediatric otolaryngology team. Her interests include pediatric head and neck masses, cleft and related speech and ear issues.
She currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Scholes has been on several medical missions and loves to travel.
My Approach to Healthcare
I love seeing children with ENT issues. This includes hearing and speech issues, which are such an important part of a child's development. All kids deserve a chance to be their best selves, and I work to achieve that in every single patient I see.
Practice Locations
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1
Lakeland Medical - UMMC
764 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 View Location |
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2
Children’s of Mississippi Meridian Specialty Clinic
4711 26th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39305 View Location |
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3
Children's of Mississippi Hospital - Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower
2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216 View Location |
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4
UMMC Colony Park North
124 UMMC Way, Ridgeland, MS 39157 View Location |
Accepted Insurance Plans
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.
Network Participation - 2026MississippiCAN and CHIP [Managed Care programs promulgated by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid]- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
Transplant Only Networks- Optum Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, VAD
- Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS) Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
- Interlink Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T
- Celtic Plans: Ambetter, WellCare, Magnolia Health MississippiCAN, Magnolia Health CHIP • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT
- Cigna Lifesource Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
Dental- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
Education
| Board Certification: | Otolaryngology; Otolaryngology, Pediatric Otolaryngology |
| Fellowship: | The Ohio State University Medical Center |
| Internship: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Medical Education: | University of Mississippi School of Medicine |
| Residency: | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
Experience
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 08/2022 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology, ABOTO | 12/2021 - 04/2027 |
| Licensure, Mississippi Medical License | 06/2022 - 06/2024 |
| Certification, Board Certification American Academy of Otolaryngology, ABOTO | 06/2009 - 04/2027 |
| Licensure, Colorado State Medical License | 06/2012 - 08/2024 |
| Licensure, Ohio State Medical License | 06/2011 - 12/2023 |
| Licensure, New York State Medical License | 06/2008 - 06/2012 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Provider of the Month, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2019 |
| Excellence in Collaboration Award, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2017 |
| Patient-Family Experience Care Award, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2016 |