17 Medical Billing Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Medical billing managers are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers are reimbursed for the services they provide. This includes reviewing patient charts to determine the services provided, submitting claims to insurance companies, and following up on payments.

If you’re looking for a medical billing manager job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. Review the most common medical billing manager interview questions and answers below to help you prepare.

Are you familiar with the medical billing process?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your experience with medical billing software, insurance claims and other processes involved in managing a team of billers.

Example: “I’ve been working as a medical biller for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the process. In my previous position, I worked with several different types of patients and insurance companies, which helped me develop a strong understanding of how to navigate the billing process. I also used specialized software to help me manage patient records and create accurate invoices.”

What are some of the most common mistakes that medical billing professionals make?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have in this field. It also helps them understand if you are aware of common mistakes and how to avoid making them yourself. When answering, try to identify a mistake that you’ve made before so that you can explain what you learned from it.

Example: “One of the most common mistakes I see medical billing professionals make is not keeping up with changes in coding standards. This is because there are so many different codes for each diagnosis or procedure, and they change often. If you don’t keep track of these changes, you could end up submitting an incorrect code and delaying payment. To prevent this, I always make sure to stay on top of any updates.”

How do you handle difficult patients or clients?

As a medical billing manager, you may need to interact with patients or clients who are unhappy about their bills. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the skills and experience needed to handle these situations effectively. In your answer, share an example of how you helped a patient or client understand their bill. Explain what steps you took to help them feel more comfortable with their payment plan.

Example: “In my previous role as a medical billing specialist, I had to interact with many upset patients and clients. One time, I worked with a patient who was very upset about her bill. She felt like she should only be responsible for paying 20% of it. After talking with her, I realized that she didn’t understand why her insurance company paid so much of her bill. I explained our billing process in detail and showed her exactly where her money went. She understood after that and agreed to pay the full amount.”

What is your experience with using medical billing software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with medical billing software and how you use it. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of different types of software, including which ones you’ve used in previous roles and what you like about them.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of medical billing software throughout my career. I started out using a basic system that was easy to learn but didn’t offer many features. As I gained more experience, I moved on to using an online platform that allowed me to streamline my work and create reports for my team. Now, I prefer working with cloud-based systems because they allow me to access information from anywhere.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide exceptional customer service to a patient or client.

Customer service is an important skill for medical billing managers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience providing excellent customer service and can apply those skills in your role as a medical billing manager. When answering this question, think of a time when you helped a patient or client solve a problem with their bill. Explain how you used your communication skills and empathy to help them feel more comfortable about the situation.

Example: “In my previous position as a medical billing specialist, I had a patient who was unhappy with her bill because she thought we were charging her too much. She called our office to discuss it, and I explained that there were several reasons why her bill was higher than usual. After explaining everything to her, she understood and paid her bill.”

If a patient has not yet paid for their medical services, how would you approach them about the matter?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would approach a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you have strong communication skills and can remain professional even when dealing with difficult clients.

Example: “I would first call the patient to discuss their outstanding balance. I would explain why they still owe money for services rendered and offer them payment options if they are unable to pay in full at once. If the patient is uncooperative or unwilling to make any payments, I would send them a letter detailing our conversation and outlining what actions we will take if they do not settle their account within 30 days.”

What would you do if you noticed a recurring error in one of your team members’ work?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you are a problem solver and have good communication skills.

Example: “If I noticed a recurring error, I would first talk with my team member about it. If they were aware of the mistake but kept making it, I would ask them to explain why they made the same error over and over again. This helps me understand what is causing the issue so I can find a solution. If the employee was unaware of the error, I would work with them to correct their mistakes and make sure they understood how to avoid repeating the errors in the future.”

How well do you know the laws and regulations surrounding medical billing in the US?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern medical billing in the US. This is because it’s important for a medical billing manager to ensure their team follows all relevant rules and regulations when processing patient data. In your answer, try to highlight how you’ve followed these rules in the past and what steps you took to ensure compliance.

Example: “I’m very familiar with the laws and regulations surrounding medical billing in the US. I have taken several courses on medical billing law and ethics, which helped me understand the importance of following these rules. As a medical billing specialist, I was responsible for ensuring my team complied with all relevant laws and regulations. To do so, I regularly reviewed our processes and procedures to make sure we were handling patient data correctly.”

Do you have any experience training new employees or interns?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you might train employees in their new roles. Use examples from previous training experiences to highlight your communication, organization and time management skills.

Example: “In my last role as a medical billing specialist, I trained interns who were learning the basics of coding and insurance claims processing. During our weekly meetings, I would go over the most recent coding updates and discuss any changes that had been made to the company’s policies. This helped me stay organized by creating a schedule for each week so I could ensure all information was covered. It also allowed me to see which areas interns needed more practice with.”

When approaching a new patient about their insurance options, how do you explain the differences to them?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with patients and their families. It also helps them determine if your communication skills are strong enough to handle this responsibility. When answering, try to demonstrate that you have experience explaining insurance options to patients and their families.

Example: “I find it helpful to explain each option in terms of what they cover and what they don’t. For example, I might say, ‘Your plan covers 80% of all office visits, but only 50% of prescription medications.’ This way, patients know exactly what they’re getting for their money.”

We want to improve our billing turnaround time. What ideas do you have to help us do this?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to make improvements in their organization. Use examples from previous experience where you helped improve turnaround time or other processes that improved efficiency and productivity.

Example: “I would first look at our current staff and see if we have enough employees to handle the billing workload. If not, I would suggest hiring more medical billers to reduce the amount of time it takes for each bill to be processed. Another idea is to implement a new software system that automates some of the manual work so employees can focus on more complex tasks. This could also help us reduce errors and increase accuracy.”

Describe your experience with working with insurance companies.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with working in a medical billing department and how you might fit into their organization. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills, such as communication or problem-solving abilities.

Example: “In my last position, I worked directly with insurance companies to ensure our patients received all of their benefits. This included submitting claims on time and following up when necessary. In one instance, an insurance company denied a claim because they said we didn’t have enough documentation for them to approve it. I contacted the patient’s doctor to get more information about the procedure so that I could submit another claim.”

What makes you stand out from other medical billing managers?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates. When answering, think of a skill or quality that you have that others may not. Try to choose something that is relevant to the job.

Example: “I am passionate about my work as a medical billing manager. I love helping doctors and patients understand their bills. In fact, I once helped a patient who was struggling to pay their bill find financial assistance. The hospital ended up waiving her bill completely because she couldn’t afford it. This made me feel good knowing that I could help someone in need.”

Which medical billing software programs are you most familiar with using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with medical billing software. It can also show them which programs you prefer to use and how familiar you are with other systems. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific programs that you’re comfortable using and explain why you like them.

Example: “I have used several different medical billing software programs in my previous positions, including Medisoft, Practice Fusion and NextGen Healthcare. I find these three programs to be very similar, but each has its own unique features that make it useful for certain tasks. For example, I find that Medisoft is best for creating invoices and generating reports while Practice Fusion is better for communicating with patients online and NextGen is great for managing insurance claims.”

What do you think is the most important trait for a successful medical billing manager?

This question can help interviewers understand your management style and how you would approach the role. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what skills or traits helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I believe that a successful medical billing manager needs to have strong communication skills. This is because they need to communicate with many different people, including doctors, patients and insurance companies. I also think it’s important for them to be organized and detail-oriented since this can help ensure accurate billing. Finally, I think it’s essential for a medical billing manager to be empathetic and compassionate as they may work with patients who are experiencing challenging situations.”

How often do you think medical bills should be sent out?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle billing and collections. It can also show them your understanding of the industry’s standards. In your answer, try to explain why you think this is a good frequency for sending out bills.

Example: “I believe that medical bills should be sent out at least once per month. This allows patients to have plenty of time to pay their bill before it becomes overdue. I’ve seen many hospitals send bills every two weeks, but I don’t think this is enough time for patients to receive the bill, review it and make a payment. If they wait until the next bill comes out, it may already be late.”

There is a discrepancy in a patient’s insurance information. How do you approach them about it?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to work with patients. It also shows how you handle conflict, which can be a part of the job as a medical billing manager.

Example: “I would first call the patient to discuss the issue. I would explain that there was a mistake in their insurance information and ask if they could provide me with updated information. If they are unable to do so, I will contact the doctor’s office to see if they have any additional information on file. If not, I will send them a letter explaining the situation and asking for more information.”