20 Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Interview Questions and Answers

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is a leading health insurance company in upstate New York. With over 2 million members, Excellus BCBS is one of the largest health insurers in the state. The company offers a variety of health insurance plans, from individual and family plans to Medicare and Medicaid plans.

If you’re applying for a job at Excellus BCBS, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Excellus BCBS interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Interview Process

The interview process at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, one with HR and one with the hiring manager. Some positions may also require a third round of interviews with the team you would be working with. The questions asked in the interviews will vary depending on the position, but will typically include both behavioral and technical questions.

1. What is your experience with health insurance?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with the health insurance industry. If you’re new to the field, it’s important to highlight your interest in the industry and any relevant work experience that relates to this role.

Example: “I’ve been working as an administrative assistant for a small medical practice for the past three years. I started out doing basic clerical work like filing paperwork and scheduling appointments but quickly learned about the ins and outs of health insurance when our office hired a new billing specialist. She taught me everything she knew about coding and submitting claims so we could get paid on time. Now, I’m responsible for making sure all of our bills are submitted correctly.”

2. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. It’s important that you show the interviewer how you can remain calm and professional when faced with an angry client.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble accessing their account online. I asked them for their username and password, which allowed me to access their account. Once I saw what the issue was, I explained to them that there was a problem with their internet connection. They thanked me for my help and apologized for being rude.”

3. Describe the most important steps in the claims process.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the claims process. It also allows you to show that you understand how important each step is in ensuring accurate and timely payments for patients.

Example: “The most important steps are receiving the claim, reviewing it for accuracy and completeness and processing it. If any of these steps aren’t done correctly, it can lead to delays or denials. I always make sure to double-check my work before submitting a claim so there’s no chance of making an error. This helps ensure that the patient receives their benefits as quickly as possible.”

4. Do you have any experience with medical coding or billing?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience with coding and billing. If you have any experience, share it with them. If not, let them know that you are willing to learn this skill if they hire you.

Example: “I do have some experience with medical coding and billing. I worked as an office manager at my previous job where I was responsible for managing all of our patient records. This included entering data into our electronic health record system and ensuring that we were submitting claims on time. I also had to ensure that all of our bills were paid in full.”

5. Why do you want to work at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Excellus BlueCross BlueShield that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I want to work at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. In my last role as a nurse, I saw how much of an impact health care professionals could have on patients’ lives. I would love to continue doing that in a different capacity.”

6. How would you describe yourself as a manager?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your management style. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific skill you have as a manager and how that skill helps you lead others.

Example: “I would describe myself as someone who is empathetic and understanding. I try to make sure my team members know that I am always available for them if they need anything or want to talk about something. This has helped me create strong relationships with my team members and ensure that everyone feels comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns.”

7. Have you worked on projects involving healthcare IT before?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience with healthcare IT. If you have worked on projects involving this field, share what they were and how they helped improve the company’s operations.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects that involved healthcare IT in my previous role as an IT specialist at a hospital. One of these projects was creating a new system for patient records management. I also implemented a new software program that allowed doctors to access patients’ medical records from their computers. These two projects improved our organization by making it easier for employees to access important information.”

8. How does HIPAA affect your daily work life?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of an individual’s medical records. Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand how HIPAA affects your work life and what steps you take to ensure compliance with the law. In your answer, explain how you would handle confidential information in your role as a customer service representative.

Example: “I am very familiar with HIPAA regulations because I worked at a hospital for five years. At my previous job, we had strict policies about protecting patient data. For example, if someone asked me for their test results over the phone, I would have to tell them they could only receive that information in person. If they wanted to know more details about their health, I would direct them to schedule an appointment so they could speak with a doctor.”

9. Which project management software are you familiar with?

This question is a great way to see if you have the necessary skills and experience for the role. You can answer this question by listing the software you’re familiar with, but also explain how you use it. This shows that you know what it’s used for and how to apply it in your work.

Example: “I’m familiar with Basecamp, Trello and Asana. I’ve found these three to be the most useful project management tools because they allow me to collaborate with my team members, organize tasks and set due dates. I find that using all of these together helps me stay organized and on track.”

10. Describe your experience working with databases and programming languages.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in a work environment. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to use databases and programming languages, as well as the results of your actions.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with an organization’s database to create reports for management. I used SQL to query data within the database and then created pivot tables and graphs using Microsoft Excel. In addition, I also learned Python coding language to automate some of my tasks.”

11. What is your experience with handling sensitive information?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle confidential information. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you handled any challenges that came with handling sensitive information and what steps you took to ensure its security.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I was responsible for maintaining all of our company’s electronic records. This included ensuring that all employees had access to their files while also protecting them from outside threats. To do this, I implemented several security measures including firewalls and encryption software. If there were ever issues with accessing files or if someone tried to hack into our system, I would immediately address the issue and take steps to resolve it.”

12. What are some of the challenges that you think we will face in the next five years?

This question is a great way to see how you can fit into the company’s future. It also allows you to show your knowledge of the industry and its challenges. When answering this question, try to think about what will be different in five years. Think about some of the changes that have happened recently and use those as examples.

Example: “I believe one of the biggest challenges we’ll face in the next five years is finding ways to reduce costs for patients. With healthcare costs rising so much, it’s important that we find new ways to cut down on expenses without compromising quality care. I know Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been working hard at finding more efficient methods of treatment, which is why I’m excited to work here.”

13. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s background and what they’re passionate about. It also gives you an idea of how they define success, which can be helpful when deciding whether or not they’d be a good fit for your company. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to choose something that relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “My biggest professional accomplishment so far has been my work with the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Foundation. I was hired as a marketing intern at the foundation last summer, where I worked on several projects including social media campaigns and public relations efforts. One of our campaigns raised over $100,000 in donations for local hospitals, which was definitely one of my proudest moments.”

14. What is your preferred way of communicating within a team?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with others and your preferred methods of communication. You may want to describe a time when you used this method successfully in the past, or if you have not had that opportunity yet, you can talk about what you would do if faced with that situation.

Example: “I find it most effective to communicate within a team through email because I can write out my thoughts clearly and organize them well before sending them to the rest of the team. This allows me to proofread my emails carefully and make sure they are clear and concise. If someone has questions, I am able to answer them quickly so we can move forward on our project.”

15. Give me an example of a problem you solved for a client.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you used critical thinking and analytical skills to solve the client’s issue.

Example: “When I worked as a customer service representative for a major cell phone provider, I had a client who was having trouble with their billing. The client called in multiple times about the same issue, but each time they would explain the situation differently. This made it difficult for me to understand what exactly was going on. After speaking with them several times, I realized that there was a misunderstanding regarding their plan. Once I explained the plan to them again, they understood and were able to resolve the issue.”

16. We like to promote from within whenever possible. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career goals and how they see themselves growing within the company. It also helps you determine if this person would be happy in their role for the long term. When answering, try to think of what your ideal job would look like in five years.

Example: “I hope to have progressed into a management position by then. I’ve always enjoyed helping others solve problems and find solutions, so I think that working with a team of employees to help them grow and succeed would be an amazing opportunity.”

17. What is your favorite part of being a Project Manager?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they feel about their current job. It can also help you understand what motivates them, which can be helpful when deciding whether or not they are right for the position.

Example: “My favorite part of being a Project Manager is getting to work with such talented people. I love seeing my team members grow and develop as professionals, and it makes me happy to know that I had something to do with that. I also enjoy working on challenging projects because it gives me an opportunity to use all of my skills.”

18. What is one thing that you feel could be improved upon in our company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to provide constructive criticism. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of something specific and explain how you would improve upon the situation if given the opportunity.

Example: “One thing I feel could be improved at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is our customer service department’s ability to respond to customers in a timely manner. In my last role as an account manager, I noticed that many of my clients were having trouble getting in touch with their representatives. To solve this issue, I implemented a new system where each representative was required to check in with me once per day. This allowed me to monitor their progress and ensure they were responding to all inquiries.”

19. What was your role in your last group project?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you work with a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific projects you’ve worked on in the past that helped improve your organization or company.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist for a small business, I was tasked with creating a new website design for our company. My team and I decided to create a more user-friendly website that would make it easier for customers to find information about our products and services. We met once a week to discuss progress and challenges we were facing. In the end, we created a new website that increased sales by 20%.”

20. What is your experience with data analysis?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with Excel and other data analysis software. Use examples from previous work to show that you have a strong understanding of how to use this type of software.

Example: “I’ve used Excel for years in my current role, where I analyze patient information to find trends and patterns. For example, I noticed that patients who had certain symptoms were also experiencing longer wait times at their appointments. I was able to use this information to create a new system that allowed us to hire more staff members to reduce wait times. This helped our patients feel more comfortable during their visits.”