In recent years, there has been a huge increase in demand for people who can code medical records. This is because healthcare is changing and accurate coding is becoming more important. As healthcare organizations try to stay in compliance, make the most money, and run their businesses more efficiently, medical coders play a key role in their success. To find and hire skilled medical coders, HR professionals and CXOs who are involved in the hiring process need to know about the changing trends in this field.
Recent research shows that the need for medical coders has been steadily growing, and it is expected to continue growing at a rate of X% per year for the next five years. This rising need shows how important it is to know how the medical coding field works and to ask the right interview questions to find qualified people who can help the company succeed.
So, you’re aiming to land a coveted medical coding specialist role? Congratulations! This in-demand career path offers a rewarding blend of technical expertise and healthcare knowledge. But before you don your scrubs, you’ll need to navigate the interview process. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
This detailed guide goes over the best medical coding specialist interview questions, giving you the knowledge and confidence to make a good impression on your potential employer. We will talk about the important hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills they will be looking for. We will also give you tips on how to write answers that get you the job.
Hard Skills: Demonstrating Your Coding Prowess
1. “What types of medical coding software are you familiar with?”
Why it matters: Medical coding has gone digital, and employers seek candidates who can seamlessly navigate the latest software platforms. Showcasing your familiarity with industry leaders like 3M Encoder Pro, Optum Encoder, or EncoderPro demonstrates your adaptability and eagerness to learn.
What to say:
- Highlight your experience with specific software platforms, mentioning their strengths and functionalities.
- Express your enthusiasm for learning new software and staying updated with industry advancements.
- Share your willingness to participate in training programs offered by the company.
2. “What’s an example of a particularly complex coding challenge you’ve dealt with?”
Why it matters: This question tests how well you can solve problems and deal with complicated coding situations. Sharing a real-life example showcases your critical thinking and analytical prowess.
What to say
- Describe a specific coding challenge you encountered, outlining the complexities involved.
- Explain your approach to resolving the issue, emphasizing your research, collaboration, and attention to detail.
- Share the outcome, highlighting how your efforts ensured accurate coding and claim reimbursement.
3 “What’s your process for ensuring you enter codes efficiently and accurately?”
Why it matters Medical coding demands precision and speed Employers seek candidates with a systematic approach to minimize errors and maximize productivity
What to say
- Emphasize your meticulous attention to detail and ability to prioritize accuracy over speed.
- Describe your organizational strategies, such as using checklists, double-checking entries, and leveraging coding software features.
- Share your time management skills and ability to meet deadlines without compromising quality.
Behavioral Intelligence: Uncovering Your Problem-Solving Prowess
1. “How do you stay current with new developments in medical coding?”
Why it matters: The medical coding landscape is constantly evolving. Candidates who take the initiative to learn about the newest coding rules, laws, and technologies are highly valued by employers.
What to say:
- Mention your active participation in continuing education courses and workshops.
- Highlight your subscriptions to industry publications, journals, and online resources.
- Showcase your engagement in professional organizations and online communities dedicated to medical coding.
2. “How have you handled wrongfully denied claims in the past?”
Why it matters: Medical coding plays a crucial role in ensuring patients receive proper reimbursement for their healthcare services. This question assesses your ability to advocate for accurate coding and resolve claim denials.
What to say:
- Describe your experience in researching and gathering evidence to support denied claims.
- Explain your communication strategies for effectively communicating with insurance companies and resolving discrepancies.
- Share your success stories in securing claim approvals through your persistence and persuasive arguments.
3. “What are some typical billing errors you see in medical coding? How do you avoid them?”
Why it matters: Mistakes in medical billing can cost patients money and make them angry. Employers seek candidates who understand common errors and possess strategies to prevent them.
What to say:
- Identify common billing errors, such as incorrect coding, missing information, or duplicate billing.
- Explain your meticulous approach to reviewing patient records and verifying coding accuracy.
- Share your proactive measures to double-check codes, consult with physicians when necessary, and maintain clear communication with billing teams.
Soft Skills: Highlighting Your Interpersonal Expertise
1. “How would you explain billing codes to a confused or frustrated patient?”
Why it matters: Medical coding can be complex for patients to grasp. This question assesses your ability to communicate clearly and empathetically, ensuring patients understand their bills.
What to say:
- Emphasize your ability to explain billing codes in simple, non-technical language.
- Share your experience in addressing patient concerns with patience and understanding.
- Highlight your active listening skills and ability to answer questions thoroughly and respectfully.
2. “Describe a time when you had a conflict with a colleague, and how you handled it.”
Why it matters: Collaboration and conflict resolution are essential in the medical coding field. This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate disagreements constructively.
What to say:
- Describe a specific conflict situation, focusing on your role in the interaction.
- Explain your approach to resolving the conflict, emphasizing open communication, active listening, and compromise.
- Share the positive outcome of the situation and the lessons learned from the experience.
3. “What role does empathy for patients play in your job?”
Why it matters: Medical coding directly impacts patient care. Employers seek candidates who demonstrate empathy for patients and prioritize their well-being.
What to say:
- Express your understanding of the challenges patients face in navigating healthcare billing.
- Share your commitment to ensuring accurate coding that facilitates timely access to necessary care.
- Highlight your willingness to go the extra mile to assist patients with billing-related issues.
By mastering these top interview questions and showcasing your hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills, you’ll be well-equipped to impress potential employers and land your dream medical coding specialist role. Remember, your passion for healthcare, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to patient well-being will shine through, making you a valuable asset to any healthcare team.
Additional Resources:
- Top Medical Coder Interview Questions for 2022: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/medical-coder-interview-questions
- What is medical coding? https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/Downloads/Coding-Manual-for-Physicians.pdf
- What are the skills that a medical coder should possess? https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-4
- What are some common phrases used in clinical coding? https://www.aapc.com/blog/10-common-coding-phrases-you-should-know/
- What are ICD codes? https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/index.htm
- What are HCPCS codes? https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding/hcpcskodes
- When are HCPCS modifiers used? https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/Downloads/Modifier-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- What are DRG codes? https://www.cms.gov/medicare/acute-inpatient-pps/drg-classifications-and-software
15 behavioral interview questions for a Medical Coder
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a very difficult coding situation. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?.
- Can you think of a time when you had a big problem with coding or a disagreement with a doctor or other healthcare professional? What did you do?
- Tell me about a time when you messed up while coding. How did you figure out you were wrong, and what did you do to fix it?
- Give an example of a time when you had to finish a coding project quickly. How did you decide which tasks to do first and make sure they were done correctly when time was of the essence?
- Tell me about a time when you had to give a doctor or other healthcare provider information about coding or make sure they understood what paperwork they needed. What did you say in the conversation, and how did it go?
- Can you tell me about a time when you found a mistake in the coding during an audit or review? How did you fix it, and what suggestions did you make to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
- Give me an example of a time when you had to change how you coded because of changes in rules or guidelines How did you make sure the change went smoothly? What did you do to keep up with the changes?
- Describe a time when you had to handle a lot of coding assignments at the same time. How did you manage your workload effectively without sacrificing accuracy?.
- Give an example of a time when you had to work with people from other teams or departments to get more information or make sure you understood something about coding. How did you make sure you could communicate well, and what was the result of your work together?
- Can you remember a time when you had to make a decision about something ethical that had to do with coding? How did you handle it, and what did you think about when you did it?
- Tell me about a time when you changed something about a process or the way you coded something that made it more efficient or accurate. What steps did you take, and what were the outcomes?.
- Give an example of a time when coworkers or bosses didn’t agree with your coding suggestions or methods. How did you handle the situation and gain their support?.
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with private patient data while also making sure it was safe and private. How did you maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations?.
- Tell me about a time when you had to teach someone about coding rules or procedures. How did you go about the training? What strategies did you use to make sure the information got across?
- Could you describe a time when you worked with your team or department to find and implement ways to cut down on coding mistakes or improve the accuracy of coding? What strategies did you use, and what were the results?
5 sample answers to behavioral interview questions for the Medical Coder
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a very difficult coding situation. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?.
Look for: the ability to solve problems, the skill to handle difficult coding situations, and a good result through smart coding techniques.
“In a previous job, I had to deal with a complicated coding situation involving a patient who had several long-term illnesses.” The documentation was incomplete, making it challenging to assign accurate codes. I proactively reached out to the physician and requested additional details to ensure accurate coding. After careful review and research, I applied the appropriate coding guidelines and assigned the necessary codes. The outcome was successful, with accurate coding that reflected the patient’s conditions and led to appropriate reimbursement. ”.
- Can you think of a time when you had a big problem with coding or a disagreement with a doctor or other healthcare professional? What did you do?
Look for: Communication skills, the ability to collaborate, and professionalism in resolving coding disagreements.
Example Answer: “I had trouble with coding when I didn’t agree with a doctor about how complicated a certain procedure was.” Instead of making things worse, I politely approached the doctor and showed him my research and supporting documents to back up my coding suggestion. We engaged in an open dialogue, discussed the coding guidelines, and ultimately reached a mutual understanding. The key was maintaining professionalism and effectively communicating my rationale, which resulted in a collaborative resolution. ”.
- Tell me about a time when you messed up while coding. How did you figure out you were wrong, and what did you do to fix it?
Look for: Accountability, attention to detail, and the ability to take corrective actions when mistakes occur.
Example Answer: “Once, I inadvertently assigned an incorrect diagnosis code due to misinterpreting the physician’s notes. Upon realization, I immediately notified my supervisor and initiated an internal audit to identify any potential similar errors. I contacted the healthcare provider to get more information about the paperwork, fixed the code, and made changes to the patient’s record. To stop mistakes from happening again, I made a list to make sure that codes were correct and set up a peer review system for difficult cases. ”.
- Give an example of a time when you had to finish a coding project quickly. How did you decide which tasks to do first and make sure they were done correctly when time was of the essence?
Look for: Time management skills, the ability to handle pressure, and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
“In my last job, I had to deal with a coding project that had to be finished faster than planned because of unplanned events.” To figure out what to do first, I looked at how important each case was, put the most important patient records at the top of the list, and set aside time for coding and checking. I maintained my attention to detail by leveraging coding templates and established processes. Even though I was pressed for time, I made sure everything was correct by doing regular self-checks and a final review before turning it in. I met the deadline and kept the quality of the code. ”.
- Why did you have to change the way you coded something because of changes in the rules or guidelines? How did you make sure the change went smoothly? What did you do to keep up with the changes?
Look for: Adaptability, willingness to learn, and proactive efforts to stay updated with coding guidelines and regulations.
“When switching from ICD-9 to ICD-10, I knew I would need to learn new things and make the change go smoothly.” To fully understand the new coding system, I went to training sessions, webinars, and read the coding manuals over and over again. I also engaged in discussions with colleagues, joined professional coding associations, and actively followed industry publications. This proactive approach helped me easily change how I coded to follow the new rules, which led to accurate and legal code. ”.
INTERVIEW TIPS AND ADVICE FOR NEW MEDICAL CODERS | MEDICAL CODING WITH BLEU
FAQ
How to prepare for a medical coder interview?
What type of questions are asked in a medical coding interview?
Why should we hire you as a medical coder?
What questions should you ask a medical coding specialist?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various medical coding specialist interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What inspired you to pursue a career in medical coding?
How to write a medical coding interview?
Furthermore, if you’re an experienced medical coder, you should go through your resume and ensure that you can answer all the questions related to your experience, job role, and your responsibilities at your previous company well. Hiring managers also ask several medical coding interview questions that cover the behavioral aspect.
What does a medical coding specialist do?
Accuracy is a cornerstone in the medical coding profession. As a medical coding specialist, your work directly impacts the financial health of your organization and the care that patients receive. This question is designed to assess your attention to detail, your ability to identify errors, and your problem-solving skills to correct them.
How difficult is a medical coding interview?
While medical coding interviews can be moderately difficult with some technical questions that demand in-depth answers, the difficulty level of an interview is highly subjective. If you are confident about your basics and have a strong hold on the technical aspects of medical coding, the interview can be fairly easy for you to crack. 3.
