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How to file a complaint against a nursing home / elder care

Neglect, abuse, unsafe conditions, or rights violations in long-term care. Here is exactly which regulator has jurisdiction, where to file, and what to say.

The right regulator(s), in order

state

Your State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents — the fastest first call for neglect, abuse, or rights problems. They investigate and push the facility directly.
Open the complaint portal →
State/local office — opens the official directory; pick your state, then your office. (Verify the link is current.)
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The resident's name and facility
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • What you observed
  • The specific outcome you are asking for
state

Your State Health Department (facility complaints)

Your state health department / survey agency licenses and can cite or fine the facility.
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
  • The specific outcome you are asking for
  • Any prior attempts you made to resolve it directly
federal

Medicare / CMS (nursing homes & providers)

For Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities, call 1-800-MEDICARE to file a quality complaint.
Open the complaint portal →
  • The facility name
  • Resident name and dates
  • The quality-of-care concern
⚖️ Suspected abuse or serious injury may be both a crime (call local Adult Protective Services / 911) and a legal claim — consult an elder-law or personal-injury attorney.

What to include in your complaint

Draft my complaint now →

FAQ

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.