If you are trying to pursue a career in the booming field of medical coding and want to crack interviews with top MNCs, don’t worry; CareerInPharma is here to help you.
Here are some Medical Coding Interview Questions for freshers and experienced candidates that will help you crack interviews and achieve your dream job.
General Medical Coding Interview Questions for Freshers
1. Can you explain what medical coding is?
Ans- Medical coding is a process that involves converting data such as Patient data, diagnosis, lap reports, etc, into unique codes. These codes are used for billing and data keeping.
2. What are HCPCS and CPT, ICD-10 codes?
Ans- HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. HCPCS codes are generally used for Medical supplies and services.
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. These codes are used to represent medical procedures.
ICD-10 stands for International Classification of Diseases. ICD-10 codes are used to represent diagnoses.
3. Why do we use modifiers in CPT?
Ans- Modifiers used in CPT coding provide additional information about medical services or procedures without changing its core meaning.
4. Why are ICD-10 codes used?
Ans- ICD-10 codes provide a standardised way to classify diseases and medical conditions. It is used in medical billing, research and statistical analysis.
5. What is the Difference between Outpatient and Inpatients coding?
Ans- Outpatient coding is used for medical procedures and treatments where the patients are not admitted to the hospital and are just visiting doctors, and inpatient coding is used for hospital admissions and billing
6. Importance of HIPAA in Medical Coding?
Ans- HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It protects patient health information and ensures the security of medical bills.
7. What are DRG codes?
Ans- DRG stands for Diagnostic Related Groups. These codes are used to classify hospital cases into 500 set groups. These codes are primarily used for billing and reimbursement purposes.
8. What are the common billing errors, and how do you prevent them in Medical Coding?
Ans- Not including an adequate amount of information required by the insurance company for processing a claim is one of the most common mistakes in medical coding. Reviewing the codes crucially before sending the documents can prevent such mistakes.
9. Explain the importance of Medical Coding in the Healthcare system
Ans- Medical coding plays a vital role in the healthcare system by converting patient data, bills, surgical notes, and lab reports into alphanumeric codes. This helps in ensuring accurate billing, data management and claim processing.
10. What is the “J” code in Medical coding?
Ans- The “J” code is used in billing and is a part of the HCPCS code set. It denotes medication administered non- orally for chemotherapy drugs.
11. What are the Methods of organising bill payments?
Ans- There are a variety of methods to organise bill payments, such as paper systems and digital bill-paying portals. Medical coders should be proficient in handling both types of bill payment organising systems.
12. Why do you want to become a Medical Coder?
Ans- “I want to become a Medical Coder because it combines my interest in Science and technology in the healthcare industry.. Medical coding plays a vital role in ensuring accurate billing, proper documentation, and smooth communication between healthcare providers and insurance companies. I’m motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the healthcare system in a meaningful, behind-the-scenes way, and I enjoy the challenge of keeping up with medical terminology and coding updates.
13. What are the skills that a Medical Coder should possess?
Ans- A medical coder should posses skills such as:
- Knowledge of Medical terminology
- Basic Computer knowledge
- HIPPA knowledge
- Attention to Detail
- Familiarity with coding systems such as CPT and ICD-10
- Understanding of the healthcare system
- Strong and clear communication skills
- Continuously learning and stating updates about industry insights
14. How can you ensure accuracy in Medical Coding?
Ans- By thoroughly understanding the coding guidelines and staying updated with the changes in the coding system, attention to detail and checking codes can help us maintain accuracy in Medical Coding.
15. What is Medical Necessity in Medical Coding?
Ans- It means that a service or procedure must be justified based on the patient’s condition to be covered by insurance.
Medical Coding Anatomy Questions for Interview
1. How many chambers does a human heart have?
Ans- Human hearts have four chambers.
- Right Atrium
- Right Ventricle
- Left Atrium
- Left Ventricle
2. How many bones are in the Human body?
Ans- There are a total of 206 bones in the human body.
3. How many lobes do lungs have?
Ans- The right lung has 3 lobes. The upper lobe, Middle lobe and Lower lobe.
The left lung has 2 lobes. The upper lobe and the low lobe.
4. How many lobes are present in the human skull?
Ans- There are four lobes present in the human skull.
- Frontal lobe: Responsible for problem-solving, reasoning, planning and critical thinking.
- Parietal lobe: It processes sensory information such as touch and pain
- Temporal lobe: Responsible for hearing, language and memory
- Occipital lobe: It is responsible for vision
5. Which is the largest organ and the smallest organ in the human body?
Ans- The largest organ in the human body is the skin. The smallest organ is the pineal gland.
6. Which organ produces insulin?
Ans- Insulin is produced by the pancreas. It helps regulate blood sugar levels.
7. Name all the systems present in the human body.
Ans- The Circulatory System
- The Respiratory System
- The Nervous System
- The Immune System
- The Digestive System
- The Reproductive System
- The Skeletal System
- The Muscular System
- Endocrine System
Medical Coding Physiology Interview Questions
1. What is the function of the Kidneys?
Ans- The main function of kidneys is to filter blood, remove waste and maintain blood pressure in the human body. Kidneys also help in hormone productions that help maintain red blood cells and bone health.
2. How does the blood circulate through the heart?
Ans- The deoxygenated blood from the body is collected in the right atrium and then enters the right ventricle, and later, the blood is pushed through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs. Here, the blood is oxygenated and enters the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins. Later, it enters the left ventricle, and the blood is pushed through the aorta to the whole body.
3. What are the different types of White blood cells?
Ans- The different types of white blood Cells are
- Nuetrophils
- Monocytes
- Lymphocytes
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
4. Which organ in the human body has regenerative properties?
Ans. The liver has regenerative properties.
5. In which part does absorption take place in the digestive system?
Ans- Absorption takes place primarily in the small intestine, specifically in the villi and microvilli lining the walls of the small intestines in the digestive system.
FAQs about Medical Coding Interview Question
1. How to become a medical coder?
Ans- Pursuing a career in Medical Coding without the right guidance can be confusing and overwhelming. But enrolling in a Medical Coding Certification Course can help you gain expertise on the industry relevant skills and knowledge and with the right guidance you can crack tip MNCs interviews with confidence.
2. Who can become a Medical Coder?
Ans- Anyone with a bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Life Science, Computer Science, biochem, zoology, botany, etc, can pursue a career in Medical Coding.
3. What are the job roles and salary in Medical Coding?
Ans- The job roles and salary in Medical Coding are as follows:
- Medical Coder – 3 LPA to 5 LPA
- Medical Coding Manager – 5 LPA to 12 LPA
- Medical Coding Auditor – 2 LPA to 4.5 LPA
- Coding and Reimbursement Specialist – 3 LPA to 6 LPA
- Billing Analyst – 4 LPA to 7.5 LPA
4. Is Medical Coding a Good Career Option?
Ans- The healthcare industry is growing day by day, resulting in a need for accuracy and data safety. This increase in the number of healthcare services makes Medical Coding a booming field that offers numerous jobs in various healthcare sectors globally.
5. Can I get a work-from-home job in Medical Coding?
Ans- Yes, some organisations offer work from home in Medical coding.
