Caregiver background check rules in Indiana

Yes. Indiana requires a criminal background check before a caregiver works with clients. The agency must obtain a national criminal history background check or an expanded criminal history check for each employee. It may not employ someone to provide in-home services for more than 21 calendar days without the results. People with a nurse aide registry finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation may not be employed.

What does the check include?

What should you confirm with the state?

A name-based expanded check is accepted instead of a fingerprint-based national check. Workers must also have a TB test. Agencies serving Medicaid waiver clients enroll separately with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

What other checks should you run?

Agencies that bill Medicaid or Medicare should also check the HHS Office of Inspector General exclusion list before hire and monthly, because payments for services by an excluded person can be recovered. If you use a background screening company, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires written disclosure and the applicant's authorization first.