Can they ask this during an interview?

Whether you plan to take their health insurance plan may mean you're considering employment "WITHOUT BENEFITS". That usually means a higher starting wage/salary.

Did the employer cite you a starting wage? That might be the difference.

No, they asked me what my desired wage is. I had already been to a few other interviews and it seems like the starting wage for clinics in the area is about $17/hr, so I told the $17 was my desired wage. The response was "I don't think our nurses make that much, I'll have to ask."

I still think that was a ploy to blow smoke re the salary you desired.

WITHOUT BENEFITS you might get your $17. But they'll want you to be specific re the whole BENEFIT package before giving you a number.

It can also be a screen to hide behind if they decide to pass on your application by considering that you're 'too expensive'.

It can also be a screen to hide behind if they decide to pass on your application by considering that you're 'too expensive'.

This is what I'm thinking too. If they have several qualified applicants the doctors might consider saving the 200ish dollars a month and hire someone who has no interest in a company health insurance policy. The clinic doesn't pay extra for required overtime.

The clinic doesn't pay extra for required overtime.

This would be a larger red flag to me than the question that was asked.

The first thing I thought of is that this is a legal way to ask, "Do you have a chronic illness? Are you going to call in sick a lot?"