5 questions reveal how well applicants comprehend insurance billing

Evaluating Billing Applicants: Essential Situational Questions

I’m a big believer in “situational” interviewing – asking applicants how they would handle certain situations. Asking real world questions and seeing if the applicant knows the answer.

So how can you tell if a job applicant will make a good biller in your practice? Finding one who can do more than just input numbers into the computer takes careful screening. Try these six basic questions to help evaluate an applicant’s general insurance knowledge and ability “think on his/her feet”:

1. Can you define HMO and PPO, and explain the difference between the two?

2. What is a co-payment?

3. How do you ask a patient for the co-payment/deductible?

4. What questions do you believe are the most important to ask an insurance company when verifying patient insurance?

5. What, in your opinion, are the most important characteristics in hiring a billing staff employee?

6. How do you would follow up on unpaid insurance claims?

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.