Caregiver background check rules in Nebraska

Yes. Nebraska requires a criminal background check before a caregiver works with clients. An in-home personal services agency must run a background check on each worker and keep the records at its place of business. Workers may not have a conviction punishable by more than one year of imprisonment that is rationally related to their fitness for the job, or adverse findings on the listed registries; drivers also need a motor vehicle record check.

What does the check include?

What should you confirm with the state?

Nebraska has no license for non-medical home care; confirm with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services before you start operating. The law doesn't say whether background checks must be fingerprint-based. Medicaid and waiver programs have their own provider rules.

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.