20 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Interview Questions and Answers

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Together, they provide healthcare coverage for more than 106 million members – one in three Americans.

If you’re applying for a job at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of sample Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Interview Process

The interview process at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most candidates report a lengthy and drawn-out process that can take several months to complete. Additionally, many candidates report difficulty with the interviews themselves, often finding them to be irrelevant to the position they are applying for. Overall, the experience seems to be mixed, with some candidates enjoying their time interviewing and others finding the process to be frustrating and unprofessional.

1. What is your experience with customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The organization works with many customers, so it’s essential that employees have experience in this area. When answering this question, you can describe a time when you provided excellent customer service to someone.

Example: “I’ve worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office for five years now. I answer phones and greet patients when they come into the office. I also help them schedule appointments and find out what insurance they use. This has given me plenty of experience providing great customer service to people.”

2. How do you think technology will impact the healthcare industry in the next 5-10 years?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your knowledge of the industry and how you think it will change in the future. Your answer should show that you are aware of current trends and can predict what might happen next.

Example: “I believe technology will continue to play a larger role in healthcare, especially as we move toward more preventative care. I think there will be an increase in telemedicine services, which allow patients to connect with doctors online or over the phone for non-emergency medical issues. This is already becoming more common, and I expect it to become even more widespread in the coming years.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to work with someone who was difficult, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges at work. Use examples from your past that show you’re able to collaborate with others, even if they have different opinions or approaches than you do.

Example: “In my last position as a claims processor, I worked with an employee who was very detail-oriented. While this is usually a good quality for someone in their role, it sometimes led them to nitpick on things that didn’t matter. When I noticed this behavior starting to affect our team’s productivity, I approached them about it privately. They were receptive to my feedback and agreed to focus more on the larger picture of the claim rather than minor details.”

4. Do you have any experience working with health insurance companies?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with a specific company. If you do, they may ask you more about your experiences and how it prepared you for this role. If you don’t, they may ask you what you know about Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to see if you’re familiar with their work.

Example: “I’ve worked with several health insurance companies in my career, but I haven’t had the opportunity to work specifically with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. However, I am very familiar with the services that you provide and understand the importance of providing quality care to patients.”

5. Why would you be a good fit for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your qualifications and how you would fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight any skills or experiences that are directly related to the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about healthcare and have been working in the industry for several years now. I believe my experience as a nurse manager has prepared me well for this role. In my current position, I’ve learned how to delegate tasks effectively and work with a team to achieve goals. These skills will help me succeed in this role.”

6. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped someone who was in need or went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a client who called us multiple times with questions about their coverage. They were having trouble understanding the information they received from our website. After talking with them on the phone, I realized that they needed more one-on-one attention. So, I scheduled an appointment with them so I could explain everything face-to-face. This allowed me to answer all of their questions and make sure they understood how to use their insurance.”

7. How well do you handle conflict?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you might handle disagreements with coworkers or clients. Use examples from your past experience to show that you can work through conflict and come out of it with a positive attitude.

Example: “I have had to deal with conflict in the workplace before, but I always try to resolve issues as quickly as possible. In my last position, there was some disagreement between two employees about who should be given a promotion. Instead of letting this issue fester, I brought both parties together and helped them find a solution. They eventually came to an agreement, and one employee got the promotion while the other received a raise.”

8. Would you consider yourself an analytical person?

This question is a common one in many types of interviews. Employers ask it to see if you have the ability to analyze data and use your analytical skills to make decisions that benefit their company. When answering this question, show how you are an analytical person who can use numbers to solve problems.

Example: “Yes, I would definitely consider myself an analytical person. In my last role as a claims processor, I had to review patient records for errors before sending them to doctors. This required me to look at each record closely and compare it to other similar ones. I found that doing so helped me find mistakes more quickly than simply looking at the first page of each file.”

9. Are you able to work independently?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can work independently and complete tasks without constant supervision. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you were able to manage your time, meet deadlines and solve problems on your own.

Example: “In my last position as a claims processor for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, I was responsible for processing all incoming claims within 24 hours of receiving them. This required me to stay focused and organized while working independently during the day and evening shifts. I am comfortable with this level of responsibility and have no problem managing multiple tasks at once.”

10. Can you tell me about a time that you made a mistake at work and what you learned from it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. Use examples from previous work experiences that show you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions, are eager to learn and have an ability to adapt to new situations.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative, I had a client who was very upset about their health insurance plan. They were looking for someone to blame but couldn’t find anyone. After talking with them for quite some time, I realized they didn’t understand how their plan worked. I explained it to them in more detail and answered all of their questions until they understood. In this situation, I learned that sometimes people just need someone to listen to them.”

11. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, think about the skills that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator, both written and verbal. I have always been able to explain complex ideas in ways that make them easy to understand. My weakness is my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread everything I write or type, sometimes mistakes slip through. I’ve learned to use software that helps me find errors before they get published.”

12. Do you understand the difference between HMOs, PPOs and EPOs?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the healthcare industry. It’s important for employees at BCBSA to have a strong understanding of how different insurance plans work, so this question can help an interviewer determine if you’re qualified for the role. In your answer, try to explain each type of plan in detail and give examples of when you’ve used them before.

Example: “HMOs are health maintenance organizations that provide comprehensive care within a network of doctors and hospitals. PPOs are preferred provider organizations that allow members to choose their own providers as long as they’re part of the network. EPOs are exclusive provider organizations that only offer services from certain providers. I’ve worked with all three types of plans during my career, and I find HMOs to be the most beneficial because they allow me to see specialists without having to pay out-of-pocket.”

13. Have you ever worked with a team on a project? If so, can you give us an example of your role within the team?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project you worked on that was successful because of the teamwork involved.

Example: “Yes, I have worked with teams in my previous positions. In one role, I was part of a team that helped create a new marketing campaign for our company. My role within the team was to research different types of advertising methods and help develop a budget for the campaign. The entire team met regularly to discuss progress and make sure we were all on the same page.”

14. What qualities do you think make a successful manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in a manager. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what your previous managers did that helped them succeed and how those actions contributed to their success.

Example: “I believe that being organized is one of the most important qualities a successful manager can have. I’ve seen many managers who are disorganized and it makes it difficult for them to complete tasks on time or delegate work effectively. Another quality I think is essential is communication skills. A good communicator can make sure everyone understands expectations and goals and can resolve issues before they become larger problems.”

15. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. It can also be used to determine whether or not the company will be able to help you achieve those goals. When answering this question, make sure that your answer shows that you are ambitious and willing to work hard for success.

Example: “I hope to still be working at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association five years from now. I would like to continue my education and get my master’s degree in business administration. I’d also like to become more involved with the community by volunteering at local hospitals.”

16. What does quality assurance mean to you?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to this role. When answering, make sure to define quality assurance and explain why it’s important in the healthcare field.

Example: “Quality assurance means that I’m making sure all aspects of my work are accurate and up-to-date. In my last position, I was responsible for ensuring that our patient records were always updated with their current information. This included updating any changes to their medical history or medications they were taking. It also meant double-checking that the insurance claims we processed were correct.”

17. What is your experience with programming languages such as Java, C++ and Python?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your technical skills. If you have experience with these languages, share a time when you used them in your previous role and how it benefited the company or organization.

Example: “I’ve worked with Java for five years now, so I’m very comfortable with it. In my last position, I was responsible for creating new software that would help streamline our claims process. Using Java, I created an application that allowed users to enter information into one program and then automatically populate it into other programs. This saved us a lot of time and money.”

18. What type of environment do you feel most comfortable in?

This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your personality and how you might fit in with their team. It’s important to be honest, but also consider what type of environment would make you most productive.

Example: “I feel most comfortable in a collaborative work space where I can ask questions when needed and receive answers from my colleagues. I enjoy being able to bounce ideas off others and learn new things from them as well. In my last role, we had weekly meetings where each department presented on their progress for the week. This helped me get to know my coworkers better and allowed us to collaborate more effectively.”

19. What are some of your favorite pieces of software that you use on a daily basis?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the software that Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association uses. It also allows you to show your creativity in choosing which programs you like best. When answering this question, try to choose software that is similar to what they use so you can demonstrate how quickly you would be able to learn it.

Example: “I really enjoy using Microsoft Office because I find it easy to navigate and understand. I also love Google Drive for its ability to allow me to collaborate with others on projects while still being able to edit documents from anywhere. Another program I’ve recently started using is Trello, which I find very useful for organizing my thoughts and ideas.”

20. Give us an example of a time when you were successful at finding a solution to a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to provide specific details about what you did and how it helped solve the issue.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for my previous employer, we had a lot of clients who would call us with questions or concerns regarding their health insurance plans. One day, I received five calls from different people asking similar questions about their coverage. I decided to create a FAQ page on our website that answered all of these common questions so that our employees could refer customers to the page if they called again.”