Medical Coding Interview Questions (2026) – Interview-Focused Guide That Helps You Get Hired

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare industry, building a stable and well-paying career is no longer just about holding a degree or completing a certification. What actually decides selection is how confidently and logically you answer interview questions.

Medical Coding has emerged as one of the most in-demand non-clinical career options globally. Yet, a large number of candidates fail interviews despite knowing anatomy, ICD-10, and CPT basics. The reason? Recruiters don’t just test definitions — they test decision-making, coding logic, and real-world scenarios.

This guide is not just a list of questions. It is designed to help you understand what recruiters actually expect, why candidates get rejected, and how you can prepare smartly.

Why Most Medical Coding Freshers Fail Interviews (Even After Certification)

Before you jump to the questions, here’s a hard truth recruiters rarely say out loud:

• Interviews are not theory exams
• Recruiters focus more on how you think, not what you memorized
• Most rejections happen at scenario-based questions, not basics
• Freshers know anatomy but fail to justify code selection
• Many candidates can define ICD-10, but cannot explain guidelines or medical necessity

📌 If you’ve ever cleared the first interview round but got rejected later, this guide will help you identify where you’re going wrong.

👉 Free Resource: Download the Medical Coding Interview Readiness Checklist (2026) – understand what interviewers actually evaluate.

Who Should Read This Medical Coding Interview Guide?

This guide is designed for anyone who wants to build or grow a career in medical coding and healthcare revenue cycle management, including:

• Life Science graduates (BSc, MSc – Biotechnology, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany)
• Pharmacy graduates (BPharm / MPharm) exploring non-clinical careers
• Healthcare professionals (BDS / MBBS / Nursing) transitioning to corporate roles
• Freshers preparing for entry-level medical coding interviews
• Experienced coders preparing for MNC interviews, audits, or role upgrades
• Candidates looking for work-from-home or US healthcare projects

Whether you are just starting or aiming to clear interviews with top healthcare companies, this guide will help you prepare with clarity and confidence.

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.

Recruiter Insight: Interviewers often ask follow-up questions like:

• Why is accuracy critical in coding?
• What happens if incorrect codes are submitted?

👉 Knowing the definition alone is not enough — understanding its impact matters.

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.

Recruiter Insight: Candidates are often asked:

• Which code set is used for outpatient procedures?
• Where are J-codes used and why?

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.  

Recruiters may test your ability to choose the right modifier in a scenario, not just define it.

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.

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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.

Reality Check: Knowing Questions vs Clearing Interviews

Most candidates stop preparation after memorizing questions.

Recruiters, however, look for:

• Logical thinking
• Guideline-based answers
• Understanding of payer requirements
• Error identification and prevention

👉 This is why mock interviews and scenario practice matter more than PDFs.

📞 Confused if Medical Coding suits your background? Book a FREE career counselling call with industry experts.

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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

Note: Not sure whether medical coding, pharmacovigilance, clinical research, or another pharma role suits your background?
Our expert counsellors help you choose the right non-clinical career path based on your qualification, career goals, and job market demand.

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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.

Why CareerInPharma for Medical Coding & Pharma Careers?

CareerInPharma is a trusted platform helping healthcare and life science professionals successfully transition into high-demand pharma and healthcare corporate roles.

• Industry-aligned training programs designed as per MNC expectations
• Strong foundation in medical coding, pharmacovigilance, clinical research, and data management
• Interview-focused preparation with real-world scenarios
• Mock interviews and resume guidance based on recruiter feedback
• Dedicated career support for freshers, career-break professionals, and working candidates

Conclusion

Reading interview questions is a starting point — clearing interviews requires structured preparation, real-world exposure, and confidence.

If you’re unsure whether medical coding is right for you, or why interviews aren’t converting into offers, expert guidance can save months of confusion.

📌 Take the first step: Book a FREE counselling call and get a clear, realistic roadmap for your career.

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.

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