MEDICAL BILLING & CODING
20 Job Interview Questions You WILL Be Asked (And Exactly How To Answer Them)
Congratulations on certification! This guide contains the 20 most common interview questions for billing and coding positions with what hiring managers really want to hear.
Study the intent behind each question, practice your answers, avoid common mistakes.
1. Tell me about yourself and why medical billing and coding?
What They Want: Communication skills, career motivation, role understanding.
Answer: Mention certification, strongest skills (ICD/CPT/claims), why you’re drawn to detail work and healthcare revenue impact.
Avoid: Don’t just say ‘good with numbers.’ Don’t give life story.
2. What is the difference between ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes?
What They Want: Basic competency – you must know these cold.
Answer: ICD-10 = diagnoses (WHY). CPT = procedures (WHAT). HCPCS = supplies/equipment/drugs. All work together on claims.
Avoid: Don’t confuse them. Don’t say they’re all just ‘medical codes.’
3. How do you stay current with annual coding changes?
What They Want: Commitment to ongoing learning?
Answer: Subscribe to AAPC/AHIMA, attend webinars, review annual changes, follow CMS updates, use coding forums.
Avoid: Don’t say you’ll figure it out later.
4. Walk me through coding a patient encounter.
What They Want: Can you actually DO the job?
Answer: Review documentation, identify diagnoses, verify medical necessity, code ICD-10 with specificity, code CPT/HCPCS with modifiers, verify linkage, review for compliance.
Avoid: Don’t skip verification. Don’t code from superbill only.
5. What if you found a coding error after claim submission?
What They Want: Testing integrity and corrected claims knowledge.
Answer: Notify supervisor immediately, submit corrected claim if affects payment, document to prevent future errors. Never ignore.
Avoid: Don’t ignore it. Don’t fix without telling anyone.
6. How do you handle claim denials?
What They Want: Problem-solving and revenue recovery skills.
Answer: Read denial reason, review claim/record, verify codes, prepare appeal with documentation if correct, submit corrected claim if wrong, track patterns.
Avoid: Don’t just resubmit same claim. Don’t blame insurance without investigation.
7. What is medical necessity and why does it matter?
What They Want: Core concept for claim payment.
Answer: Diagnosis must support the procedure. Insurance pays only for reasonable/necessary services. Verify ICD justifies CPT.
Avoid: Don’t say ‘doctor decides’ – you verify it.
8. Explain upcoding vs. downcoding.
What They Want: Ethics and compliance test.
Answer: Upcoding = coding higher than documented (FRAUD). Downcoding = coding lower (loses revenue). Both wrong – accurate coding only.
Avoid: Don’t say upcoding is okay. Don’t downplay consequences.
9. What modifiers do you use and when?
What They Want: Modifiers affect reimbursement.
Answer: -25 for significant E/M with procedure, -59 for distinct service, -76/-77 for repeats, -51 for multiple procedures, -50 for bilateral, -RT/-LT for laterality.
Avoid: Don’t use incorrect examples. Be honest if weak.
10. How do you ensure HIPAA compliance?
What They Want: HIPAA violations have serious consequences.
Answer: Only access needed info, no public discussions, log out when away, proper PHI disposal, encrypted emails, verify authorization.
Avoid: Don’t admit casual violations. Don’t minimize importance.
11. Experience with Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance?
What They Want: Different payers have different rules.
Answer: Medicare has specific rules (3-day window, modifier limitations). Medicaid varies by state. Commercial has different authorizations. Know timely filing varies.
Avoid: Don’t say they’re all the same.
12. How do you handle unclear provider documentation?
What They Want: Problem-solving diplomatically.
Answer: Never guess. Send specific query to provider. Educate providers over time. Work with supervisor on recurring issues.
Avoid: Don’t code anyway and hope. Don’t complain about providers.
13. Your experience with CMS-1500 form?
What They Want: Standard professional claim form.
Answer: Know all boxes: demographics, insurance, NPI, diagnosis in 21, procedures in 24, diagnosis pointers, common errors.
Avoid: Don’t confuse with UB-04.
14. How do you prioritize tasks and deadlines?
What They Want: Workload management skills.
Answer: Timely filing deadlines first, urgent denials next, new encounters, batch similar tasks, use tracking, communicate if overwhelmed.
Avoid: Don’t ignore filing deadlines. Don’t work unpaid overtime.
15. What if provider asked you to code something not documented?
What They Want: Ethics test – will you commit fraud?
Answer: Respectfully explain can only code what’s documented. Offer to help amend or query. Escalate if insisted. Won’t participate in fraud.
Avoid: Don’t just do what provider wants. Do stand firm on ethics.
16. Familiarity with NCCI edits and bundling?
What They Want: These affect claim payments.
Answer: NCCI prevents unbundling. Updated quarterly. Check before submission. Some allow -59 modifier when truly separate.
Avoid: Don’t try to get around them. Don’t ignore existence.
17. Experience with EHR/practice management systems?
What They Want: Most coding happens in software.
Answer: Comfortable with [systems], charge entry, claims generation, reports. Understand accuracy importance. Can learn new systems quickly.
Avoid: Don’t say you’re not tech-savvy.
18. How do you handle productivity pressure and deadlines?
What They Want: Can you handle high-pressure environment?
Answer: Thrive on clear goals, stay organized, analyze if behind, don’t sacrifice accuracy for speed, communicate early if struggling.
Avoid: Don’t sacrifice accuracy for volume.
19. Why should we hire you over others?
What They Want: Your sales pitch.
Answer: Strong technical skills (certification/exam score), critical thinking beyond just coding, detail-oriented but efficient, understand revenue cycle impact, committed to education, take ownership.
Avoid: Don’t bash others. Don’t be arrogant or too humble.
20. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
What They Want: Growth plans – staying or leaving?
Answer: Become expert coder, resource for team, specialize in [area], advanced certifications, possibly auditing/compliance/training. Looking to build career here.
Avoid: Don’t say you want manager’s job soon. Don’t indicate leaving quickly.
FINAL TIPS
Before: Research practice, know specialties, bring references, dress professionally During: Show technical + soft skills, use examples, ask about workflow/software After: Thank-you email within 24 hours
Stand Out: Show you understand how accurate coding affects revenue, why compliance matters, how to work with providers.
You’re not just a coder – you’re a revenue cycle professional. Now go get that job!