20 Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Interview Questions and Answers

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the state’s largest health insurer, with over 1.2 million members. They offer a wide range of health insurance plans, from individual and family plans to group plans for businesses and organizations.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, qualifications, and availability. You may also be asked questions about your knowledge of the health insurance industry and their products and services.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Interview Process

The interview process at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is smooth and professional. It generally takes about four weeks from the time you apply to when an offer is presented. The process typically consists of two interviews: a panel interview with the hiring manager and the team you would be working with, and a second interview with the hiring manager and her boss. The interviews are in the S.T.A.R. format (situation, task, action, result). Overall, it is a pleasant experience.

What can I expect during the Claims Specialist interview?

The Claims Specialist interview is fairly easy and should take about 30 minutes. It is usually a panel interview, although it may be virtual. Expect basic questions that any interviewer would ask.

What was the Employee Compensation and Benefits interview like?

After applying, I was contacted and asked to fill out a questionnaire. Then I had a Zoom meeting where they asked questions in STAR format regarding Communication, Technology, Behavior, Public Speaking, etc. The questions were challenging and caused me to think of various situations. Overall, it was a great interview and the atmosphere was so welcoming. I felt the family environment that is crucial to AR BCBS culture.

How long did the Finance Manager interview

1. How would you describe your customer service style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would interact with customers and clients in this role. Describe your customer service style by describing a time when you provided excellent customer service to someone or a group of people.

Example: “I believe that providing quality customer service is one of the most important aspects of my job. I always strive to make sure that every person I speak with on the phone or in person feels valued and respected. In my last position, I had a client who was having trouble understanding their insurance benefits. They were frustrated because they couldn’t figure out why they weren’t getting coverage for certain things. I spent over an hour on the phone with them explaining everything thoroughly until they understood.”

2. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It also shows them how you can use your problem-solving skills and creativity to help others.

Example: “I had a customer who was having trouble with their insurance plan. They were trying to get in touch with someone at the company, but they couldn’t find anyone who could answer their questions. I took down all of their information and called our department manager to see if there was anything we could do to help this person. We ended up finding an employee who worked in the same office as this customer and got in contact with them. The customer was so happy when they finally got answers to their questions.”

3. What is the most challenging part of working in healthcare?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation you faced and how you overcame the challenge or learned from it.

Example: “The most challenging part of working in healthcare is when patients are unhappy with their care. I always strive to make sure that my patients have a positive experience at our office, so if they’re not happy, it’s upsetting for me. In these situations, I try to find out what went wrong and learn from it so I can prevent similar issues in the future.”

4. Are you familiar with medical terminology?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the ability to understand medical terminology and apply it in your work. Use examples from previous experience where you had to learn new terms or definitions.

Example: “I am familiar with some medical terminology, but I’ve also learned a lot of new words through my experiences as an insurance agent. For example, when I first started working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, I didn’t know what ‘pre-existing condition’ meant. Now, I can explain that term to customers who call me about their coverage options.”

5. Can you tell me about a time where you had to deal with an unhappy client?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to show that you have the ability to remain calm, solve problems and maintain positive relationships with clients.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative for an insurance company, I had a client who was unhappy with their coverage options. They were looking for more extensive coverage but didn’t want to pay higher premiums. After researching our available plans, I found one that would meet their needs without raising their premium too much. The client was very happy when they learned of this option.”

6. Do you have experience using Microsoft Office products?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your computer skills. They want to know if you can use the company’s software and how quickly you’ll be able to adapt to it. If you don’t have experience using Microsoft Office products, consider taking a class or practicing on your own before your interview.

Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Word for several years now, but I haven’t had much experience with other programs like Excel and PowerPoint. However, I’m willing to take a crash course in these programs if needed.”

7. Give us an example of a time that you worked on a team and how it was successful or unsuccessful.

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your ability to communicate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific skills that helped you succeed as a team member.

Example: “In my previous position, I worked on a team of five people who were all responsible for different aspects of our department’s social media accounts. We met once a week to discuss what we accomplished during the week and any issues or questions we had about our tasks. This was an important part of my job because it allowed me to learn from other members of the team and ask them questions if I needed help.”

8. Why do you want to work at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job that interest you or how your skills and experience make you a great candidate.

Example: “I want to work at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. In my last role as a nurse, I saw many patients who were struggling with chronic illnesses, which inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. Working here would allow me to use my nursing skills while also providing support to customers.”

9. Would you be comfortable handling potentially sensitive information?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle confidential information. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you would take confidentiality seriously and use discretion when handling sensitive information.

Example: “I understand how important it is to keep patient information private. I have worked in healthcare before, so I am familiar with HIPAA regulations. I would make sure to store any sensitive information on my computer or phone in a secure location where others could not access it. I would also ensure that all of my communication was done through secure channels like email.”

10. Describe a time when you were given a task that you weren’t sure how to complete, what did you do?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and whether you’re willing to ask for help when needed. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to learn quickly and willingness to take on new responsibilities.

Example: “When I first started working as a customer service representative at my previous job, I was given the task of helping customers with their billing questions. At first, I wasn’t sure how to navigate through the company’s billing system to find answers to some of the questions that customers were asking me. However, I asked one of my coworkers who had more experience about how to use the billing system to find information. After she explained it to me, I was able to confidently answer all of the questions that customers were asking.”

11. We are looking for someone who is able to work independently. Do you think you will be able to handle this type of environment?

This question is designed to see if you are able to work independently and how much experience you have doing so. This can be a very important skill for an employer, as they want their employees to be able to complete tasks without needing constant supervision. In your answer, try to show that you understand the importance of working independently and that you have done it in the past.

Example: “I am confident I will be able to handle this type of environment. Throughout my career, I have worked on many projects where I was responsible for completing all aspects of the project by myself. I find that I do better when I am given more freedom to make decisions about what I am doing. I think that having autonomy over my work would help me feel more comfortable in this position.”

12. Have you ever been involved in a project where there was conflict? How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict in the workplace. Conflict can be an important part of problem-solving, but it’s also important to know how to resolve conflicts effectively. Your answer should show that you’re willing to work with others and find solutions to problems.

Example: “I’ve been involved in several projects where there was conflict. In my last position, I worked on a team that had two members who didn’t get along very well. The project manager asked me to help mediate between them because they were both highly qualified for their positions. I met with each person separately and helped them understand why the other person was valuable to the team. They eventually became friends and resolved their differences.”

13. What insurance terms are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have a basic understanding of the insurance industry. You can answer this question by listing several terms and briefly explaining what they mean.

Example: “I am familiar with many common insurance terms, including deductible, co-pay, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. I also understand how these terms relate to one another in an insurance plan. For example, when I pay my monthly premium, it goes toward paying for my deductible. Once I meet my deductible, the insurance company starts covering some of my medical expenses. After that, I start paying 20% of all other costs until I reach my coinsurance percentage.”

14. How do you feel about working in a call center environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you feel about working in a call center environment. This is because many customer service jobs are done over the phone, so it’s important that you enjoy talking on the phone and interacting with customers. Your answer should show that you’re willing to do this type of work and that you have the necessary skills for the job.

Example: “I actually really enjoy working in a call center environment. I find it very rewarding when I can help someone solve their problem or answer their questions. It makes me feel good knowing that I was able to make someone’s day better by helping them.”

15. What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It helps employers understand what you value and how you view success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an accomplishment that relates to the job you’re interviewing for.

Example: “My greatest professional accomplishment was when I helped my previous employer’s client base increase by 10%. This happened after I implemented a few marketing strategies into our social media accounts. The results were amazing, and I learned so much from the experience.”

16. What kind of training programs are you interested in?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your professional development. They want to know if you’re interested in learning new skills and improving your knowledge of the industry. Your answer should include a list of training programs that interest you, along with why you find them valuable.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in continuing education courses. I took several online classes while working at my previous job, and they were very helpful for expanding my knowledge of health insurance. I also think it’s important to attend conferences and seminars because they allow me to meet other professionals who can help me grow as an employee.”

17. What factors would you consider when deciding whether to approve a claim?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you apply your knowledge of insurance to real-world situations. Your answer should show that you understand what factors affect a claim’s approval and how you use this information to make decisions.

Example: “I would consider the patient’s medical history, current symptoms and any other relevant details about their condition. I would also look at whether they have met their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum for the year. If the patient has already met these requirements, then it may be more cost-effective to wait until their next plan year to submit the claim. This could save the company money by avoiding unnecessary expenses.”

18. Can you tell me about a time when you made a mistake?

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to a mistake. They want to know that you can learn from your mistakes and grow as an employee. When answering, try to think of a time when you made a mistake but learned from it. Try not to focus on the negative aspect of the situation, instead highlight what you did to fix it or improve upon it.

Example: “When I first started working in healthcare, I was so excited to help patients. One day, I saw a patient who had been waiting for quite some time. I told them they could leave and come back later because we were backed up. Later, I found out that they left without getting their prescription filled. I apologized to them and offered to fill their prescription right away. From then on, I always make sure to tell patients that we are running behind and will be with them shortly.”

19. How would you respond to a customer asking for specific information on a health plan?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to answer questions about health plans. Use examples from previous experience in which you helped customers understand their coverage or find information on a plan.

Example: “I would first ask them what they’re looking for, and then I’d use my computer system to search for that information. If it’s something more specific, like an out-of-network doctor, I’ll look up the insurance policy to see if there are any exceptions. If not, I will explain to the customer that we don’t have any other options.”

20. What do you know about Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the company and its culture. It also helps them determine whether you have done any research about the organization before your interview. When answering this question, make sure to include information that shows you are familiar with the company’s mission statement, values and goals.

Example: “I know Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been in business since 1939. I am aware of their commitment to providing affordable healthcare services to Arkansans. I understand that they offer many different types of insurance plans, including PPOs, HMOs and POS plans. I also know that they provide excellent customer service to all of their customers.”