Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our practice is growing, and my practice manager has asked me to help by conducting the first round of interviews for some new positions. I've never hired anyone before, though I've heard there are some questions you shouldn't ask. Which questions should I avoid?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: You are absolutely correct. There are some questions you should not ask because they potentially cause the interview to run afoul of federal and state laws designed to prevent discrimination based on age, marital status, pregnancy status, race, and other protected categories, according to Michelle  Ann  Richards, BSHA, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, CPPM, Director of Engagement, Compliance Services at Healthicity. Richards spoke at the American Academy of Professional Coders 2017 Healthcon.

Richards gave Healthcon attendees some good examples of the kinds of questions to avoid:

• When do you plan on retiring?
• Do you practice any religion?
• Are you pregnant?
• Do you have any children?
• Are you mentally stable?

In addition, other problematic questions include:

• Do you observe any religious holidays? (You might as well be asking about religion.)
• When did you graduate? (You might as well be asking 'How old are you?')