Indiana HCBS Waiver Provider Certification requires criminal background checks and tuberculosis testing. These instructions are based on the specific regulatory requirements cited by the Indiana Department of Health.
Background check requirements are established under:
All Owners (5%+ Ownership)
Every person with ownership interest in the agency must provide a background check
All Direct Care Staff
Every employee providing direct patient contact or care services
All Administrative Staff
All employees of the agency, including office and administrative personnel
Contractors
Any contractor providing services with direct client contact
Background checks must be dated within 90 days of the application submission date. Checks older than 90 days will not be accepted by DOH. Plan accordingly to ensure your checks are current when you submit your application.
Your Personnel Policy must specify which type of background check will be completed. Choose one of the following:
Search of Indiana State Police criminal records database for the individual's lifetime criminal history.
Typical Cost: $10-15
Processing Time: 5-10 business days
Most Common: Yes - recommended for most agencies
FBI fingerprint-based check covering all 50 states and federal records.
Typical Cost: $15-25
Processing Time: 10-15 business days
Requirement: Fingerprinting required
Digital fingerprinting submitted to Indiana State Police and FBI databases.
Typical Cost: $20-30
Processing Time: 7-14 business days
Requirement: Must be completed at authorized fingerprinting location
Comprehensive check including state, federal, and county records plus sex offender registry.
Typical Cost: $25-40
Processing Time: 10-20 business days
Most Thorough: Yes - covers all available records
Per DOH requirements, the following convictions disqualify a person from owning or operating an HCBS Waiver provider agency:
Note: If anyone incurs one of these convictions during employment in a direct service role, they must immediately notify their manager and either be terminated or moved to an indirect care service role.
Request background check forms for home health agency employees/owners
Address: Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206
Phone: (317) 232-8248
Website: www.in.gov/isp
Email: [email protected]
Specify the type of check needed (Limited, National, Fingerprint, or Expanded) and that it is for HCBS Waiver Provider Certification
Fill out completely with accurate information (full legal name, date of birth, all addresses for past 7 years)
Mail completed form with payment (check or money order payable to "STATE OF INDIANA")
Results will be mailed to address provided. Verify date is within 90 days of your planned application submission. Keep original document.
Your Personnel Policy must include:
TB testing requirements are established under:
All Direct Care Staff
Anyone providing direct patient contact or care services
All Owners
Every person with ownership interest in the agency
Contractors with Patient Contact
Any contractor providing services with direct client contact
Upon Hire: Direct care staff must have negative TB test or negative chest X-ray BEFORE employment begins
Annual Requirement: TB screening must be completed every 12 months for all direct care staff
Ongoing: Negative test result must be documented within the previous 12 months
Upon Exposure: Testing required if there is known TB exposure
Per 410 IAC 17-12-1, the home health agency shall ensure evaluation for tuberculosis using one of the following methods:
Intradermal injection of purified protein derivative (PPD) with reading after 48-72 hours per CDC guidelines.
Two-Step Process: First test, then second test 1-3 weeks later if negative
Typical Cost: $15-30
Where: Primary care physician, urgent care, health department
Blood test measuring immune response to TB antigens. Results available in 24 hours.
Advantage: Single visit, faster results, no follow-up needed
Typical Cost: $50-100
Where: Laboratory, primary care physician, urgent care
If you have documented history of TB, previous positive test, or newly positive results:
If you have been exposed to someone with active TB:
Contact your primary care physician, urgent care clinic, or local health department to schedule TB testing.
Ask for written documentation showing date, test type, and results (Negative/Positive/Pending). This must be included in employee files per 455 IAC 2-14-1.
Return to clinic 48-72 hours after first injection to have result read and documented by healthcare provider.
Keep original test results for your records and employee files. Annual testing documentation must be maintained per 410 IAC 17-12-1.
Primary Care Physician
Contact your regular doctor to schedule testing
Urgent Care Clinic
Walk-in testing available at most urgent care facilities
Marion County Health Department (Indianapolis)
Phone: (317) 221-2000
Occupational Health Clinic
Many hospitals offer occupational health services for employment screening
Your Personnel Policy must include the following TB requirements per DOH revision letter: