Caregiver background check rules in Iowa

Yes. Iowa requires a criminal background check before a caregiver works with clients. Providers of in-home services (homemaker-home health aide, home care aide, or other in-home services) that are state-regulated or receive state or federal funding must run a Department of Public Safety criminal history check and child and dependent adult abuse record checks before hiring, or use the single contact repository. People with a crime or founded abuse record cannot be employed unless the record check evaluation system approves them.

What does the check include?

What should you confirm with the state?

Iowa doesn't list a license category for non-medical home care; confirm with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing before you start operating. The state background check law applies only to providers that are regulated by the state or receive state or federal funding, so a private-pay agency may not be covered.

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.