charge auditor Interview Questions and Answers
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What is a charge auditor?
- Answer: A charge auditor reviews medical bills and claims to ensure accuracy, compliance with regulations, and proper coding before payment. They identify and correct errors, preventing unnecessary healthcare costs.
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Describe your experience with medical billing and coding.
- Answer: (This answer will vary depending on the candidate's experience. It should include specifics about their knowledge of CPT, HCPCS, ICD codes, and experience with various billing systems. For example: "I have five years of experience reviewing medical charts and assigning appropriate CPT and ICD codes. I'm proficient in using [mention specific billing software] and have a strong understanding of medical terminology.")
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Explain your understanding of CPT, HCPCS, and ICD codes.
- Answer: CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. HCPCS codes are used for healthcare products, supplies, and services not covered by CPT. ICD codes classify diseases and injuries.
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How do you identify fraudulent or abusive billing practices?
- Answer: By comparing billed charges to the medical record, looking for inconsistencies, upcoding, unbundling, duplicate billing, and services not medically necessary. I also look for patterns and outliers in billing data.
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What software or systems are you familiar with for charge auditing?
- Answer: (This answer will vary. Mention specific software like Epic, Cerner, Meditech, or other billing and coding software. Include any experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems.)
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How do you handle discrepancies between the medical record and the bill?
- Answer: I document the discrepancies, attempt to reconcile them through additional review of the record or by querying the provider, and escalate unresolved issues to a supervisor.
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What is your experience with regulatory compliance, such as HIPAA?
- Answer: (Describe experience with HIPAA compliance, including patient privacy and data security protocols. Mention any training received.)
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How do you prioritize your workload when dealing with a high volume of claims?
- Answer: I prioritize based on urgency, complexity, and potential financial impact. I may use a ticketing system or other organizational tools to manage my workflow effectively.
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Describe your attention to detail and accuracy.
- Answer: (Provide specific examples of how you maintain accuracy in your work. This could involve double-checking work, using checklists, or implementing quality control measures.)
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How familiar are you with different types of healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, etc.)?
- Answer: (Describe your experience with different healthcare settings and how their billing practices may vary.)
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How do you stay updated on changes in medical coding and billing regulations?
- Answer: I regularly attend industry conferences and webinars, subscribe to relevant publications, and participate in continuing education programs to stay abreast of changes in coding and billing regulations.
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How do you handle disagreements with providers regarding billing practices?
- Answer: I approach these situations professionally and diplomatically, explaining my findings clearly and supporting them with evidence. I aim for a collaborative solution.
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What are some common billing errors you've encountered?
- Answer: (List common errors, such as incorrect coding, missing modifiers, upcoding, unbundling, and duplicate charges.)
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How do you manage your time effectively to meet deadlines?
- Answer: I utilize time management techniques such as prioritizing tasks, breaking down large projects into smaller manageable steps, and setting realistic deadlines.
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What is your experience with data analysis and reporting?
- Answer: (Describe experience with data analysis and reporting, including any experience with data visualization tools. Mention any experience generating reports to identify trends and areas for improvement.)
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Explain your understanding of medical necessity.
- Answer: Medical necessity refers to whether a service or procedure is appropriate and necessary for a patient's diagnosis or treatment. It's determined based on established medical guidelines and standards of care.
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How do you handle stressful situations or tight deadlines?
- Answer: (Describe strategies used to manage stress and meet deadlines, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating when possible, and taking breaks.)
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Describe a time you identified a significant billing error. What was the outcome?
- Answer: (Provide a specific example. Describe the error, how you identified it, and the steps you took to correct it. Quantify the impact of your correction if possible.)
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