Report: 10 states lack screening requirements for in-home healthcare workers

memo released by the Department of Health and Human Services, 10 U.S. states do not require any background checks on employees who work for home health agencies. There are currently no federal laws in place that mandate that background checks must be completed for those who work directly with individuals in need of in-home healthcare services. The states that do not conduct any background checks on home healthcare workers are Alabama, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii and West Virginia also do not currently run background checks on home health workers, but these four states are in the process of developing screening policies. The other 40 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have varying checks in place to prevent criminals from working with the vulnerable people that require in-home health services. These checks vary wildly, however, with some states only requiring state-wide checks and others conducting fingerprint or federal checks. Employees are allowed to begin work before all screening processes are complete in 26 states. States also have varying rules about which crimes bar ex-convicts from employment as a home care worker. Only 35 states specifically lay out which types of felonies prohibit one from in-home work, and individuals are able to apply to have previous convictions waived in 16 states. State-funded Medicaid programs and agencies that do not deal with insurance may have different rules than Medicare-funded home health programs, and therefore may not conduct the same screening policies. You can view more information about the study and specific state requirements in the memo. To learn more about protecting your loved ones who require in-home care, contact Mind Your Business.]]>