17 Patient Financial Counselor Interview Questions and Answers

As a patient financial counselor, you’re responsible for educating patients and their families about the financial aspects of their healthcare. You’ll also help them understand and navigate their health insurance coverage, as well as any government assistance programs they may be eligible for.

In order to be successful in this role, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator and have a strong understanding of the healthcare system. You’ll also need to be able to empathize with patients and their families, as they may be going through a difficult and stressful time.

If you’re interested in a career as a patient financial counselor, you’ll need to ace your job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample patient financial counselor interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the different types of insurance plans and how they work?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience working with different types of insurance plans. Use your answer to highlight any specific knowledge or skills that you gained from previous work experiences.

Example: “I’ve worked in the financial counseling field for five years, and during that time I’ve helped clients understand their various insurance options. In my last position, I primarily focused on helping clients find affordable healthcare solutions through Medicaid. However, I also assisted clients who had private health insurance plans, Medicare and other government-funded programs.”

What are some of the most important questions you ask patients about their finances?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a process for helping patients with their finances. They want to know that you can help patients make good financial decisions and avoid common mistakes. In your answer, explain what questions you would ask and why they are important. You can also include an example of a specific question you might use in the role.

Example: “I always start by asking about their budget. I find it’s helpful to get a sense of how much money they have coming in each month and where it goes. This helps me understand whether there are any areas we should focus on first. For instance, if someone is spending too much money eating out every day, I might suggest finding ways to cut back before suggesting they save more money overall.

Another important question is whether they have debt. If so, I try to learn more about what kind of debt they have and how they plan to pay it off. It’s important to discuss these things up front because sometimes people don’t realize they need to change their plans until after they’ve started counseling.”

How would you help a patient who is overwhelmed by the amount they owe in medical bills?

This question can help interviewers evaluate your ability to provide emotional support and guidance to patients who may be struggling with their finances. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are empathetic and willing to help patients develop a plan for paying off medical debt.

Example: “I would first ask the patient how they feel about their current financial situation. I find that many people have no idea what it takes to pay back medical bills, so I like to explain the process of interest rates and payment plans. Then, I offer advice on ways they can reduce their expenses or increase their income to make payments more manageable.”

What is your process for helping patients apply for financial aid?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience with financial aid applications. They want to know if you have any special knowledge or skills that can help patients apply for and receive the financial aid they need. In your answer, describe how you would approach helping a patient fill out an application and submit it on time.

Example: “I’ve helped many of my clients complete financial aid applications in the past. I usually start by asking them what types of aid they’re interested in applying for. Then, I explain each type of aid so they understand their options. Next, I walk them through the process of filling out the application and submitting it on time. This is important because missing deadlines could result in losing eligibility for the funds.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a patient understand the costs of a particular treatment.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to communicate with patients about financial matters. Use examples from previous experience where you helped a patient understand the costs of their treatment and how it affected them financially.

Example: “When I worked as a financial counselor at a hospital, one of my patients was a single mother who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. She asked me what her total cost would be for chemotherapy treatments, including transportation and childcare expenses. I explained that she could receive free childcare during her treatment through the hospital’s on-site daycare facility. I also told her that we offered discounted bus passes to our patients so they could get to and from their appointments more easily.”

If a patient is considering a treatment that is not covered by their insurance, how do you help them decide whether or not to pursue it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you help patients make financial decisions. In your answer, try to show that you can be a trusted advisor and provide information about the costs of treatment options.

Example: “If a patient is considering a treatment that isn’t covered by their insurance, I first explain all of the costs associated with it. Then, I let them know if there are any ways they could pay for the procedure out-of-pocket. If not, I discuss whether or not the benefits of the treatment outweigh the cost. For example, I might tell them that some treatments have better outcomes than others, so it’s worth it to spend more money on those.”

What would you do if a patient was considering skipping a payment on their medical bills and potentially hurting their credit score?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to help patients make financial decisions that are in their best interest. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills and knowledge of the patient’s situation to help them understand why it is important to pay their medical bills on time.

Example: “I have had a few patients consider skipping payments because they were worried about hurting their credit score. I always try to remind them that paying their medical bills on time can actually improve their credit score over time. If they do skip a payment, however, I encourage them to call our office as soon as possible so we can work out an alternative payment plan.”

How well do you handle conflict and criticism when working with patients who are frustrated about their finances?

Patient financial counselors often work with patients who are frustrated about their finances. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary to help these patients and keep them calm. In your answer, share a specific example of how you helped a patient through a difficult situation. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue or improve the patient’s mood.

Example: “I once worked with a patient whose family was in debt because they had spent too much money on unnecessary purchases. The patient became very upset when I told her that she would need to cut back on her spending for at least six months before she could start saving money again. To calm her down, I explained why it was important to save money instead of spend it. She understood my advice and agreed to follow it.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak different languages?

Patient financial counselors often work with patients who speak different languages. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and can communicate effectively in a variety of situations. In your answer, share an example of how you helped someone overcome language barriers while performing your job duties.

Example: “I worked at a hospital where many of our patients spoke Spanish as their primary language. I learned basic phrases in Spanish so that I could help them understand important information about their treatment plans and insurance coverage. I also made sure to always have a translator on hand when needed. This allowed me to provide the best care for my patients while ensuring they understood everything we discussed.”

When explaining complex financial concepts, how do you make sure you are clear and concise?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you communicate with patients and clients. They want to know that you can break down complex financial information into terms your client or patient understands. In your answer, explain a time when you had to do this in the past and what steps you took to ensure you were clear and concise.

Example: “I find it important to use analogies and metaphors when explaining complex financial concepts. I also try to avoid using jargon as much as possible so my client or patient knows exactly what I’m talking about. When I first meet with a new client or patient, I take notes on their current financial situation and goals. Then, I create an action plan for them based on those goals and our discussion.”

We want to make sure our patients understand all of their options. How would you help a patient who wanted to pursue a treatment that was unlikely to help them?

Interviewers want to know how you would help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. They also want to see that you can be honest with your patients and provide them with the information they need to make good choices.

Example: “I would first explain all of the treatment options available to them, including the pros and cons of each option. If I determined that a certain treatment was unlikely to help them, I would tell them this and recommend an alternative treatment. I would also encourage them to seek a second opinion if they were unsure.”

Describe your process for keeping track of each patient’s unique financial situation and needs.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to organize and prioritize tasks. Your answer should include a specific process you use for keeping track of important information about each patient’s financial situation, including their insurance coverage, outstanding bills and other relevant details.

Example: “I have developed my own system for organizing all the data I collect from patients during our initial consultation. For every new patient, I create a spreadsheet with columns for basic contact information, insurance provider, monthly income and expenses, outstanding debt and any other pertinent details. Then, at the end of each appointment, I update this spreadsheet with any changes or updates they provide me with. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I am always aware of what steps I need to take next to help them achieve their goals.”

What makes you a good fit for a patient financial counselor position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, think about what makes you a good fit for the position. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that make you qualified for the role.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others manage their finances. I have worked as a financial advisor in my community for five years, where I help people create budgets and find ways to save money. I also enjoy working with clients one-on-one to help them reach their goals. These experiences make me a great candidate for this patient financial counselor position.”

Which patient financial counselor role do you most admire?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you value in a patient financial counselor. It also helps them see how your values align with those of their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality that you admire about the role and why you find it admirable.

Example: “I most admire the ability of patient financial counselors to provide compassionate care while still being able to make difficult decisions for patients. I believe that having both skills is important because it allows us to support our patients through all stages of treatment. In my last position, I helped a patient who was struggling financially after her husband passed away. She had no family members to turn to, so she relied on me to help her navigate the insurance process and get the treatment she needed.”

What do you think is the most important thing that patient financial counselors can do to help their patients?

This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy of patient financial counseling. It can also show them how you might approach the job if you are hired. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what helped you when you were a patient and what you wish you had known at that time.

Example: “I believe the most important thing that patient financial counselors can do is listen to their patients. I know from my own experience as a patient that sometimes we don’t realize all of our options or even what questions to ask. As patient financial counselors, we have access to resources and information that can help us provide solutions for our patients. If we listen to our patients and learn more about their situations, we can better help them.”

How often do you speak with patients about their finances?

This question can help interviewers understand how often you interact with patients about their finances and the types of conversations you have. You may want to describe a specific situation in which you helped a patient manage their money, such as helping them budget or find ways to save.

Example: “I speak with patients about their finances at least once per appointment. I usually start by asking them what they’re looking for when it comes to managing their money. For example, some patients are interested in learning more about budgeting while others want to know where they can get financial assistance. From there, I ask questions to learn more about their current financial situation and offer advice on how they can improve their financial health.”

There is a new treatment that could help a patient, but it is expensive and not covered by their insurance. How would you help them decide whether or not to pursue it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your counseling skills and ability to help patients make important financial decisions. In your answer, explain how you would evaluate the pros and cons of a treatment and help the patient decide whether or not it’s worth pursuing.

Example: “If there is an expensive treatment that isn’t covered by insurance, I would first determine if there are any other treatments that could provide similar results at a lower cost. If there aren’t any alternatives, then I would discuss with the patient why they should pursue the treatment despite its high price tag. For example, I might tell them about the potential benefits of the treatment and what their life could be like after receiving it.”