Healthcare employers have unique needs when it comes to vetting potential employees. Whether you're an HR Manager or a Compliance Specialist, you must protect patients from harm and comply with all local, state, and federal standards. 

You may also need to conduct background checks to meet national accreditation requirements. That's why it's so important to use the best healthcare background check service available. 

Table of Contents 

1. The Best Background Checks for Employers 
2. How Do You Choose the Best Background Check Service? 
3. How Much Do Background Checks Cost? 
4. What Do Healthcare Employers Need to Know About Compliance? 
5. Get Started with Healthcare Background Checks Today with PreCheck 

The Best Healthcare Background Checks for Employers

For healthcare employers, conducting background checks is an important part of keeping patients safe. Doing a healthcare background check on each new hire may also help you stay in compliance with federal laws or accreditation standards. 

We created this guide to help you find the best healthcare background check service for your needs. You'll also learn more about the compliance issues associated with conducting background checks. 

1. PreCheck

PreCheck offers a suite of services to help healthcare employers find quality employees and comply with relevant regulations. Available services include background checks, license monitoring, drug testing, and exclusion screening. 

Each service is tailored to the needs of healthcare organizations, giving you extra peace of mind as you work to fill open positions. PreCheck also has partnerships with Taleo and other leading software companies, giving you several integration options. 

Key Features: 

• • Every background check includes county, state, and national records. 
  • PractitionerCheck® uses multiple data sources to identify candidates with licensing issues, making it the best healthcare background check for physicians and allied health professionals. 
  • PreCheck has several software partners, giving you access to helpful reports and integrations. 

Pricing: 

The standard service costs $35 to $54.50 depending on which type of check you request and how you want it delivered. PreCheck pricing is higher for fax reports than it is for web reports. 

The cost of PractitionerCheck also varies based on your needs.

2. Checkr

Checkr offers several healthcare background checks for hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other medical facilities. 

The one designed for physicians, nurses, and other licensed/certified healthcare providers is the most comprehensive, as it includes the highest level of education verification. Checkr also has a background check specifically for TRICARE-authorized providers. 

Key Features: 

• • Three of Checkr's background checks include a 10-panel drug screen, basic immunizations, and a PPD skin test. 
  • Checkr integrates with Workday, BambooHR, and other human resources information systems. 
  • Checkr uses the Fraud Abuse Control Information System to help you avoid hiring providers with licensing deficiencies or sanctions. 

Pricing: 

Checkr's fees range from $29.99 to $79.99 per background check. This doesn't include passthrough fees, which are the fees charged by state and federal agencies. 

For example, Florida charges a fee of $25 for certain court records, while the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles charges a $20 fee to conduct a records check. 

You may also have to pay additional fees for add-on services, such as $10 for a federal criminal record search or $12 for professional license verification. Therefore, your total cost may be much higher than the $29.99 to $79.99 base price.

3. Sterling

Sterling provides background checks, fingerprinting, and other services for healthcare employers. The company also offers Client Hub, a portal that gives you immediate access to daily screening tasks. 

With Client Hub, you can check the status of any background check with just a few clicks. The Client Hub also has tools designed to help you comply with all pertinent laws and regulations. 

Key Features: 

• • Sterling provides customized screening packages, so you don't have to pay for services you don't need. 
  • Background checks may include criminal records, motor vehicle records, social media searches, or SSN traces. 
  • Sterling has integrations with Bullhorn, Workday, and other software packages used to track applicants, manage HR functions, or streamline business operations. 
  • In addition to its standard background checks, Sterling offers physician license monitoring. 

Pricing: 

The cost of a Sterling background check ranges from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on how comprehensive you want the check to be. 

4. First Advantage

First Advantage offers multiple background checks tailored to the needs of healthcare employers. The Healthcare Actions, Exclusions, and Licensure (HEAL) check is the most comprehensive. This check uses more than 5,000 sources to uncover board actions, Medicare sanctions, and other red flags. 

Key Features: 

• • First Advantage has access to international records, allowing you to conduct global checks. 
  • The company's mobile interface makes it easy for candidates to submit their data. 
  • First Advantage offers ongoing monitoring for certain positions. 

Pricing: 

First Advantage offers several services, so the price depends on which type of check you need. There's also a $175 account setup fee. 

5. HireRight

HireRight offers background checks designed to meet the stringent compliance requirements in the healthcare industry. The company offers criminal background checks, identity verification, drug screening, and motor vehicle record checks. 

HireRight also partners with several software companies, including ADP, Oracle, and SAP SuccessFactors. If you use one of these systems, you can interface directly with HireRight to get your background check results. 

Key Features: 

• • HireRight offers several criminal background checks, including arrest record monitoring, civil lawsuits, and global searches. 
  • The Global Credit Search service looks for potentially negative credit information. 
  • HireRight has a candidate center to make it easier for job candidates to submit their information. 

Pricing: 

HireRight offers self-service background checks starting at $36.47 each. If you need something more comprehensive, the cost varies based on your exact requirements. 

6. AccurateNow

AccurateNow specializes in performing background checks for small and medium businesses. If you work for a healthcare organization, you can order customized screening packages based on your needs. 

For example, if you're hiring an Admissions Representative who doesn't need a license, you can limit your search to basic records. AccurateNow also provides detailed analytics, giving you additional insight into your screening process. 

Key Features: 

• • AccurateNow agents have experience complying with local, state, and federal regulations. 
  • The most basic healthcare background check includes social media, criminal records, employment verification, and education verification. 
  • Every healthcare background check also includes drug screening. 

Pricing: 

The price of an AccurateNow background check ranges from $32.23 to $80.68. You also have to pay a one-time fee of $25 to verify your company and create your account. 

7. Certn

Certn offers customizable background check packages, giving you the flexibility you need to stay in compliance while you streamline your hiring process. 

The company also offers a recurring criminal records check to help you better manage your workforce. Certn's mobile platform makes it easier for candidates to submit their data, reducing the amount of time it takes to complete each background check. 

Key Features: 

• • Certn integrates with SAP, Workday, LinkedIn, and other platforms. 
  • The company offers enterprise-level checks in addition to its checks for small and medium businesses. 
  • You may be able to set up a custom integration, making it easier to access completed background checks. 

Pricing: 

Certn charges anywhere from $29.99 to $54.99 for a U.S. background check. It may cost more if you want to search global records. 

Each credit check costs $15, while a social media check costs $44.99. 

8. ShareAble

ShareAble provides background checks for small businesses. Available services include credit checks, identity checks, and criminal background checks. 

ShareAble also makes it easy to send screening forms to candidates, reducing the amount of time it takes to complete each check. 

Key Features: 

• • ShareAble doesn't charge any setup fees. 
  • You don't have to verify your business or jump through any hoops to use the service. 
  • ShareAble provides screening results almost immediately. 

Pricing: 

ShareAble charges $25 for Background Check Basic, $40 for Background Check Plus, and $60 for Background Check Pro. 

How Do You Choose the Best Background Check Service? 

Understanding Your Needs 

Before you search for the best background check, you must understand your unique needs. For example, if your company operates in the healthcare industry, you need a service staffed by professionals who understand healthcare licensing and compliance issues. 

It's also important to think about the requirements for each role. If you hire licensed professionals, such as physicians or nurse practitioners, you'll need a comprehensive background check that includes license verification. 

You may not need such a thorough check if you're hiring orderlies, environmental service aides, or other employees who don't need a professional license to work in your state. 

Ensuring FCRA Compliance 

The Fair Credit Reporting Act protects the information found in consumer credit reports. If you plan to use credit reports as part of your hiring process, you must comply with the requirements outlined in the FCRA. 

That's why it's so important to partner with an FCRA-compliant background check service. If you violate the FCRA, a candidate may sue your company in state or federal court. 

In a successful lawsuit, the plaintiff may be able to collect statutory damages, actual damages, punitive damages, and/or attorneys' fees. Therefore, a violation may cost your company hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 

Evaluating Service Features 

It's also important to evaluate the features of each service, such as turnaround time, accuracy, and integration capabilities. For example, if your company uses Taleo, it's helpful to use a background check service that delivers reports directly to the Taleo interface. 

Integrations and other technology features make it possible to streamline your background check process. This is especially true if you deal with provider credentialing. 

How Much Do Background Checks Cost? 

Variability in Pricing 

The cost of a healthcare background check depends on the depth and breadth of the search. For example, a quick check that uses county records will probably cost less than a check involving an international records search. 

Types of Checks Included 

Many companies offer more than one type of background check. Your costs will depend on what the service includes, such as criminal records, education verifications, or credit reports. 

Subscription vs. Pay-Per-Check 

Some providers offer a subscription service that allows you to complete an unlimited number of checks for one monthly, quarterly, or monthly fee. Others require you to pay for each individual check you order. 

Volume Discounts 

If you perform a large number of background checks, you may qualify for a volume discount. 

Hidden Fees 

Watch out for additional fees, such as setup charges or fees for accessing specific databases. The price of a background check may seem low at first, but once you tack on extra fees, it may end up costing a lot more than you expected. 

ROI Consideration 

Remember that the best employment background check can help you avoid a bad hire. This makes the return on your investment much greater than the initial cost of each check. 

What Do Healthcare Employers Need to Know About Compliance? 

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 

Employers have several obligations under the FCRA: 

• • • • You must tell the candidate that you may use consumer credit information for employment-related decisions. 
      • You must get written permission to access a candidate's credit report. 
      • Before you take any adverse action, you must give the candidate a copy of the credit report you used. You must also provide a copy of "A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act," a document published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 
      • You must provide notice that you took adverse action based on the information found in a credit report. 

Your background check procedures must comply with these requirements, or you run the risk of lawsuits, financial penalties, and damage to your company's reputation. 

State and Local Laws 

Many states and municipalities have laws that go above and beyond the federal requirements. For example, some states have ban-the-box laws, which prevent employers from asking about arrest and conviction records during the application process. 

Obtaining Consent 

Before you order a background check, you must obtain written consent from the candidate or employee. 

Adverse Action Procedures 

If you decide not to hire someone based on the results of a background check, you must notify them in writing. You must also follow other specific procedures. 

Data Protection and Privacy 

You must store or dispose of all private information in a secure manner. For example, you must shred documents containing names and SSNs instead of just throwing them in the trash. 

Staying Updated 

Regulations change frequently. For example, Congress may pass new laws or amend existing laws, changing your obligations. 

To stay compliant, make sure you regularly update your background check processes. 

Get Started With Healthcare Background Checks Today With PreCheck 

Conducting background checks is a great way to stay in compliance with local, state, and federal laws. It can also help you avoid a bad hire, saving your company money and keeping patients safe. 

Before you choose a background check service, make sure you understand how much each check costs and what it includes. It's also important to select a partner that complies with the FCRA and other relevant laws. 

PreCheck offers multiple healthcare background checks for employers of all sizes. Speak with an expert to learn more about how we can help you find the right hire.