The truth is that health care can be downright complicated. Taking care of your health care can make you wonder a lot of things. From how to understand your premiums, deductibles, and copays to how to deal with the rising cost of services, Not to worry, because we’ve got the answers to five of the most-asked questions about health care today.
As an example of preventative care, regular physical exams, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol checks would be ”.
Interviewing at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care? You’ve come to the right place. Landing a job at this prestigious health services organization can be highly competitive. That’s why we’ve put together the top 20 interview questions you’re likely to encounter along with detailed examples of the best answers
With 70+ years of experience providing high-quality healthcare throughout New England Harvard Pilgrim has built a reputation for innovation and exceptional service. So it’s no surprise their interview process is rigorous. We’ll guide you through exactly what to expect, from screening calls to multiple rounds of in-person interviews.
We’ve broken down the types of questions they’ll ask and provided tips on how to demonstrate you’re the kind of strategic thinker, analytical problem-solver and empathetic team player they want to hire
Let’s dive in!
Overview of the Harvard Pilgrim Interview Process
The standard Harvard Pilgrim interview process involves:
- Initial phone screen with an HR rep or recruiter
- In-person interview lasting 2-3 hours, often with multiple managers/teams
- Background and reference checks
- Follow up interviews if needed
Some key things to note:
- They look for candidates who align with their mission and values
- Questions will assess both your technical skills and soft skills
- Expect scenario-based, behavioral questions
- Come prepared to talk about your resume and past experiences
Now let’s look at the types of questions you’re likely to get and how to ace your answers.
Top 20 Harvard Pilgrim Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me about yourself
This common opening question allows you to set the tone for the interview on a positive note. Keep your answer to under 2 minutes and focus on:
- Your professional background and relevant experience
- Key achievements, awards, promotions
- The skills and attributes that make you an excellent fit for this role
Example answer: “With over 5 years in healthcare analytics, I’ve built a strong foundation in leveraging data to drive strategic decisions. In my current role at ACME Health, I spearheaded the migration to a new BI platform which led to improved data accuracy and cross-departmental collaboration. Core strengths I would bring to this Business Analyst role include expertise in SQL, data visualization, and advanced statistical analysis. Beyond the technical skills, I’m a solutions-oriented team player passionate about transforming complex data into actionable insights that improve patient outcomes.”
2. Why do you want to work at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care?
This question allows you to express your passion for their mission. Research the company values and highlight reasons such as:
- You’re inspired by their commitment to exceptional service and improving community health
- You appreciate their focus on innovation and transformative partnerships
- You’re eager to collaborate with top talent in the industry
Example answer: “I’m excited by the opportunity to work for an organization with Harvard Pilgrim’s outstanding reputation and dedication to reimagining the healthcare experience. Your investments in value-based care and focus on whole person health strongly align with my own values. I’m inspired by the culture of innovation and collaboration here. Most of all, I’m eager to apply my skills in a way that helps Harvard Pilgrim continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in community healthcare.”
3. What do you know about Harvard Pilgrim Health Care?
Do your research before the interview! Be ready to discuss facts like:
- History, leadership team, number of members/employees
- Core divisions and service offerings
- Recent awards/achievements, community initiatives
- Competitive positioning and differentiators in the market
Example answer: “Founded in 1969, Harvard Pilgrim is now one of the leading not-for-profit health services companies in New England. You serve over 1.3 million members with around 4,200 employees. I’m particularly impressed by your standings as top-rated by NCQA and commitment to holistic well-being initiatives, from fitness rewards to anxiety support programs. With the DoctorFinder app and focus on digital tools, you continue pushing healthcare technology forward. I also admire your partnerships, from supporting the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust to the vaccine equity campaign with the Red Sox Foundation.”
4. Why are you leaving your current position?
Be honest but positive. Avoid bad-mouthing your past employer. Focus on seeking new challenges, growth opportunities, or a role better aligned to your skills.
Example answer: “I’ve greatly enjoyed my tenure at XYZ Company and have had the opportunity to build my healthcare analytics skillset working on impactful projects. However, I’m now looking to take on more responsibility in a Lead Analyst role. This aligns with my long-term career goals while allowing me to leverage my expanded capabilities to drive meaningful improvements in patient outcomes through data-driven decision making.”
5. What are your greatest strengths?
Pick 2-3 strengths directly relevant to the role. Provide specific examples that demonstrate these strengths in action.
Example answer: “Two strengths that make me a great fit for this role are my technical analytics skills and collaborative mindset. I stay on top of the latest trends and tools in data science, like machine learning algorithms, to draw impactful insights. And I learned early on that bringing others along and communicating complex findings simply and visually is key. For example, for a recent project identifying clinical trial candidates from patient data, I actively collaborated with department heads to understand their goals, presented findings in an interactive dashboard, and trained end users, driving adoption across the organization.”
6. What is your greatest weakness?
Be honest while framing your weakness positively. Pick an area you’ve improved on. Explain the steps you’ve taken to overcome this weakness.
Example answer: “Early in my career, I struggled with public speaking and presenting to large groups. I realized this held me back from sharing insights from my analyses and building visibility. To improve, I joined Toastmasters to practice my presentation skills in a supportive environment. Recently I gave a well-received talk to 100+ executives on our digital transformation strategy. Though presenting still makes me a bit nervous, I now have the tools to communicate ideas effectively at all levels of an organization.”
7. Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?
Choose an example that highlights lessons you learned about project planning, attention to detail, communication, etc. Explain how you took accountability for the mistake and worked to resolve it.
Example answer: “Recently, our team was working urgently to meet a deadline for an important client report. In my haste to analyze the data, I failed to notice some inaccurate cost figures that had been pulled into the model. When the client pointed this out, I immediately apologized and thanked them for catching the oversight. I re-validated the data, identified the source of the error, and resolved it quickly. I also met with my manager to review where my quality assurance process broke down. This taught me the importance of taking the time to thoroughly review my work, even under tight deadlines. I instituted a simple double-check system that ensures this type of mistake won’t reoccur in the future.”
8. How do you stay motivated in your work?
Share what truly motivates you day-to-day – whether it’s positive feedback, mentoring others, problem-solving, learning new things, seeing your impact on the business, etc. Provide examples of how you maintain motivation on projects.
Example answer: “For me, the biggest motivator is seeing the tangible impacts my analyses have on business outcomes. For example, developing the forecasting model for this year’s flu season helped the organization proactively respond to increased demands. Knowing my work directly benefited patients was incredibly rewarding. On challenging projects, I stay driven by focusing on the value my work contributes, maintaining a sense of curiosity, and collaborating with enthusiastic teammates who inspire me to keep innovating.”
9. How do you prioritize projects with competing deadlines?
Walk through your approach to time management. Highlight tools like Eisenhower Matrix prioritization, delegation, calendars, project management software, etc. Give an example of successfully balancing multiple priorities.
Example answer: “When managing competing priorities, I use the Eisenhower Matrix as a framework to determine which tasks require my immediate focus versus those that can be scheduled later. For key deadlines, I block time on my calendar to ensure they are completed on time, sometimes working outside normal schedules. Less time-sensitive projects may be delegated where appropriate to maintain momentum. Cross-functional communication is critical so no surprises crop up. A recent example was balancing an urgent proprietary forecasting model request with an overdue client report. By getting stakeholders aligned, delegating certain analytics tasks, and putting in extra hours, I was able to deliver both high-quality projects within tight timeframes.”
10. How do you handle criticism from coworkers or managers?
Stay positive, highlight that you appreciate constructive feedback, and share an example of putting feedback into action. Emphasize that you follow up to ensure improvement.
Example answer: *”I see constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. For example, my manager once observed that I tended to keep other team members out of the loop on my projects. I appreciated her honesty, and I could see how this could be perceived negatively. Since then, I have made
Why do I owe when I thought a service was covered?
The fact is, for some inpatient procedures and emergency department visits, the chance of getting a bill that you didn’t expect can be as high as 90% (JAMA Internal Medicine, 2019). Here are a few things you can do to lower your chances of receiving an unexpected charge for your next medical visit:
Before your tests or services, do your research. As soon as you have a test or medical service scheduled, call your insurance company to see if it is covered and get the billing code, which is a six-digit number that tells you how much it will cost. Then call your health care provider’s office and match the code with theirs. They will give you time to figure out what’s wrong before your test or service, if they are different.
Make sure your health care providers and facilities are in-network Out-of-network doctors and facilities can cost more. Ask if all the providers or specialists in the room for a procedure are in-network. And if your doctor sends you for tests like blood work, an MRI, or something else, ask that they only send you to facilities that are in their network.
Shop around Just like everything else you purchase, medical tests and procedures can vary in price. Members of Harvard Pilgrim can use services like Estimate My Cost to find providers and get an idea of how much surgery, inpatient care, and outpatient care will cost.
What exactly is “preventative” care?
The goal of preventative care is to keep you from getting sick. It includes steps that are taken to avoid getting sick instead of treating it. If you get these services from a provider in your plan’s network, the Federal Health Care Reform Law says they’re free and the member doesn’t have to pay anything. As examples of preventative care, regular physical exams, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol checks are just a few.
For a complete list of preventative services, visit www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits.
“If your doctor sends you for blood work, an MRI, or other tests, ask that they only send you to facilities that are in their network.” ”.
HEALTHCARE Interview Questions and TOP-SCORING ANSWERS!
FAQ
How do I prepare for a health interview?
Is Harvard Pilgrim health care good?
What type of healthcare is Harvard Pilgrim?
What is the mission statement of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care?
