OIG Releases Study on the Assessment of State Background Checks for LTC Providers

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Compliance

The National Background Check Program (Program) provides grants to States to develop systems to conduct background checks of State and Federal criminal history records for prospective long-term-care employees.

Congress mandates that the Office of Inspector General evaluate various aspects of Program implementation. This report provides an assessment of States that concluded Program participation prior to 2017, and it also provides information for CMS to assist States that continue to participate in the Program.

The study found that the 10 States that had concluded their participation in the Program by 2016 varied as to the degree to which they achieved implementation of Program requirements. Seven of these 10 States implemented all or most of the selected requirements. Three States did not have the necessary authority through State legislation and could not fully implement background check programs.

No states participating in the National Background Check Program reported a reduction in available workforce for long-term-care facilities or providers as a result of the Program. Click To Tweet

Of the background checks that 8 of the 10 States conducted, nearly 80,000 resulted in determinations of ineligibility for prospective employees. The number of determinations of ineligibility and rates of ineligibility varied among the States (i.e., from less than 1 percent to 8 percent). None of the States reported a reduction in available workforce for long-term-care facilities or providers as a result of the Program.

To view the complete report, please click HERE.