17 Coding Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A coding manager is responsible for the coding department in a hospital or other healthcare facility. The coding manager plans, implements, and evaluates the coding process and staff. He or she also manages the budget for the coding department and ensures that the coding staff is trained on the latest coding guidelines.

If you’re a coding manager who’s looking for a new job, you may be asked to interview for the position. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your experience, your management style, and your coding knowledge. You may also be asked to provide examples of your work.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample coding manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the latest coding standards?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are up-to-date with the latest coding standards. This is because it shows that you can adapt to changes in your field and keep yourself updated on industry news. To answer, you can mention a few of the most recent coding standards and explain why they’re important.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the latest coding standards. In my last role as a senior developer, I was responsible for training junior developers on how to use the latest coding standards. The latest coding standards include using JavaScript ES6, Node.js and MongoDB. These coding standards are important because they help us create more efficient code.”

What are some of the most important skills for a coding manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for coding managers, such as communication, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Example: “The two most important skills for a coding manager are communication and problem-solving. As a coding manager, I would need to communicate with my team members about their projects and how they’re progressing. This is especially important when there’s a problem that needs to be solved or an issue that needs to be addressed. In both cases, it’s essential that I’m able to solve these issues quickly so that we can continue working on our projects.”

How would you manage a team of coders who were consistently behind on their work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you have the skills to motivate your team and get them back on track with their work.

Example: “I would first meet with each coder individually to find out what was causing the delay in their work. I would then hold a meeting with the entire team to discuss the issue, so everyone knew what was going on. From there, I would assign tasks to individual coders based on their strengths and give them clear deadlines for when they needed to be completed by. This way, my team could focus on their own projects while still helping one another.”

What is your process for ensuring that all of the information in a patient’s chart is properly coded?

This question can help the interviewer determine your attention to detail and organizational skills. Use examples from past experiences where you organized information in a patient’s chart, ensuring that all of the coding was correct.

Example: “I have found that it is important to code every piece of information in a patient’s chart because even small details like an incorrect diagnosis can lead to inaccurate coding. I use a coding software program that allows me to enter all of the relevant information into the patient’s chart before I begin coding. This helps ensure that I am not missing any information when I start my coding process.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to create new coding standards.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to change and implement new ideas. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your ability to work with a team, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “In my last role as a coding manager, I had to create new standards for our coding system because we were using outdated methods of tracking data. The company was growing so quickly that it became difficult to keep track of all the information we needed to record. We decided to use a more advanced coding system that would allow us to store large amounts of data in an organized way. This helped us streamline our processes and improve our overall efficiency.”

If a patient came in with a diagnosis of both pneumonia and bronchitis, which code would you use?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of medical coding. It also shows how you would prioritize tasks and manage time in a busy environment. Use examples from your experience to show that you can work under pressure and make decisions quickly.

Example: “In my last role, I had a patient come in with both pneumonia and bronchitis. In this situation, I would use code 99354-1 for the pneumonia diagnosis and code 99450-2 for the bronchitis diagnosis. This ensures that the hospital gets reimbursed for all services provided.”

What would you do if a patient’s diagnosis was missing a code?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of coding and how you would apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, make sure that you are clear about what you would do and why.

Example: “If I was working with a patient’s diagnosis and found that there was no code for their condition, I would first look at other codes that could be applied to the situation. If none were applicable, I would create my own code based on the information provided by the doctor. This is something that I have done before when working as a coding specialist and find that it helps me provide accurate information to insurance companies.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can perform under pressure and whether or not you are able to stay calm in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you overcame it.

Example: “I am someone who performs best when I have plenty of time to prepare for a project. However, there have been times where I was given an assignment at the last minute and had to work through the night to complete it. In these instances, I make sure that my team knows what they need to do so we can all get our assignments done on time. While working under pressure isn’t always ideal, I find that if I communicate clearly with my team members, we can usually overcome any challenges.”

Do you have any experience training new coders?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with training and developing new coders. Use examples from past jobs to explain how you helped train new employees, including what methods you used to teach coding skills.

Example: “In my last role as a coding manager, I had two new coders join our team. One of them was an experienced coder who wanted to learn more about programming languages, while the other one was brand-new to coding. I started by having both of them shadow me for a few days so they could see how I worked and ask questions. Then, I scheduled weekly meetings with each of them to go over their progress and offer advice on areas where they could improve.”

When is it appropriate to use a provisional code?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of coding standards and practices. Use examples from your experience to highlight your knowledge of industry best practices.

Example: “Provisional codes are used when you’re unsure about a code’s final status. For example, if I’m working on a project that requires me to use multiple codes for different functions, but I don’t know which one will be most effective until later in the development process, I’ll use provisional codes so I can change them as needed without affecting other parts of the program. This helps ensure my team is using the most efficient codes possible.”

We want to improve our data accuracy. What metrics would you use to measure our coding accuracy?

This question is a great way to show your analytical skills and ability to make decisions that improve the coding process. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific metrics you would use to measure accuracy and how they relate to the company’s goals.

Example: “I would start by measuring the percentage of data entry errors per 100 lines of code. This metric allows me to see how many mistakes are made during the coding process and gives me an idea of which employees need additional training or support. I would also look at the number of defects found in production versus those found during testing. This helps me understand if we’re finding enough issues before releasing our product.”

Describe your process for conducting internal audits.

Internal audits are a key part of the role, and employers want to know how you’ll use your skills to ensure their company’s coding standards are being met. Use examples from past experience to describe what steps you would take to conduct an internal audit and how you would communicate any issues or concerns with management.

Example: “I would first review all current coding procedures and compare them to the organization’s standards for quality assurance. I would then perform a thorough code inspection on each project that was in progress to make sure it meets the required standards. If there were any discrepancies, I would discuss them with my team members so they can adjust their work accordingly. Finally, I would report back to management about the status of the projects and provide recommendations for improvement.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Consider including any certifications or education you have that relate to coding.

Example: “I am passionate about technology and I love working with others who are too. In my previous position as a senior developer, I led a team of developers through several projects. My team members were all new to coding, so I taught them everything they needed to know. We successfully launched three websites by the end of our project. This experience has made me confident in my ability to lead a team of coders.”

Which coding software are you most familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with coding software. It can also show them which types of coding you’re most comfortable using and how familiar you are with different coding languages. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a few coding programs that you have used in the past and explain why they were effective for you.

Example: “I’ve worked with several coding software over my career as a coding manager. I’m most experienced with Java, C++ and Python because these coding languages are often used by businesses when creating new applications or websites. These coding languages allow me to create more efficient coding systems for clients.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of data management?

This question is a great way to assess the candidate’s knowledge of data management. It also allows you to see how they prioritize their work and what skills they use most often in their role. A good answer will include an explanation of why that aspect is important, as well as examples of how it has helped them in the past.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of data management is security. When I was working for my previous company, we had a breach in our system where someone gained access to some of our client information. We were able to fix the issue quickly, but it could have been much worse if we hadn’t taken proper precautions with our data management. Now, I make sure all of my team members are aware of the importance of security when handling sensitive information.”

How often should you update a patient’s chart?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of medical coding and billing. It also shows how you prioritize tasks in your role as a coding manager. In your answer, explain that it depends on the patient’s condition and treatment plan. You should update the chart every time there is a change in the patient’s diagnosis or procedure.

Example: “I would recommend updating the chart at least once per day. This allows me to keep track of all changes to the patient’s care plan and ensures I am following up with any necessary documentation. For example, if a doctor orders an additional test, I will ensure that I have coded the test appropriately before sending it to the insurance company.”

There is a new coding standard that is more specific than our current standards. How would you decide to implement the new standard?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of coding standards and how you would apply them in the workplace. Use examples from past experience when answering this question, as it can show the interviewer that you have had to make similar decisions before.

Example: “In my last role, we were using one coding standard for all projects. However, I noticed that some of our coding was not specific enough for certain projects. For example, if we used the coding standard for a website project, but then wanted to use the same code for an app project, there would be issues with the coding because they are different platforms. So, I decided to create two coding standards—one for websites and another for apps.”