How to file a complaint against a hospital / doctor / provider
Poor care, a harmful error, unprofessional conduct, or a safety concern. Here is exactly which regulator has jurisdiction, where to file, and what to say.
The right regulator(s), in order
state
Your State Health Department (facility complaints)
Your state's health department / facility-licensing agency investigates the FACILITY (hospital, clinic, nursing home) and can cite or fine it. This is the primary route for a quality-of-care or safety problem at a facility.
The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
The patient name and dates of service
What went wrong, in order
Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
The specific outcome you are asking for
state
Your State Medical Board
Your state Medical Board licenses and disciplines the individual DOCTOR/provider — use this for misconduct, negligence, or unprofessional behavior by a named clinician.
The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
The dates and unit/department
The specific safety or quality concern
⚖️ If you were physically harmed by an error, this may be a medical-malpractice CLAIM with a strict, often short statute of limitations. A regulator complaint does NOT compensate you — consult a malpractice attorney promptly (free consults are standard).
What to include in your complaint
Your full name, address, phone and email
The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
The patient name and dates of service
What went wrong, in order
Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
Does filing a complaint get me my money back? A regulator complaint pressures the company to fix it and creates an enforcement record, but it does not award you damages. For a specific dollar amount, small-claims court is usually faster. For injury or large losses, talk to an attorney.
Will they know I complained? Most consumer complaints are shared with the company so it can respond. Some (e.g., OSHA, wage) let you stay confidential — we note that on each agency.
How long does it take? Many agencies require the company to respond within 15–60 days. Keep your case number and the dates.
Complaint-routing & drafting information — not legal advice or representation. This is a self-help tool that points you to the regulator with jurisdiction and drafts a complaint for you to review and file. It is not a law firm, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Which agency applies can depend on facts we don't see (the company's charter, your state, the exact conduct). Government portal links — especially state-level ones — can change; we show the official directory as a fallback and the date each was checked (2026-06-25). Some situations are legal claims for money or injury, not regulator complaints — we flag those and you should consult a licensed attorney in your state.