About the Program
The Healthcare Facility Complaint Program receives and processes complaints and concerns for facilities and entities licensed and regulated by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).
IDOH is available to receive complaints against nursing homes, comprehensive residential care providers, hospitals, and intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID; also called group homes). You may also report care concerns about abortion clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, birthing centers, end stage renal disease clinics (dialysis clinics), home health agencies, and hospice agencies.
If you need help, please contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 or by texting your ZIP code to 898-211.
If you believe a crime has been committed, please contact local law enforcement.
How to File a Complaint
If you believe that a licensed healthcare facility or entity has violated a regulation, you may submit a complaint online or by phone. Please see details for each below.
Online
The best way to submit a complaint is by using the online complaint form located here. This helps IDOH review and investigate your concern as quickly as possible. You may also upload supporting materials, such as documents, photos, or videos through the online form.
Phone
If you do not have access to the internet or email, you may call 1-800-246-8909 and leave a voicemail complaint. However, most complaints are detailed and are better explained in writing. For this reason, submitting a complaint by phone is not recommended unless you do not have any way to use the internet or email.
You must provide complete information so IDOH can determine whether your complaint can be investigated. The more specific and detailed your complaint is, the better.
What to Include
Please include the following information (as applicable):
- Your contact information, unless you choose to remain anonymous. If you want to remain anonymous, please state that in your complaint. If you remain anonymous, IDOH will not be able to contact you for more information or provide the results of the investigation.
- Your name;
- your email address;
- your phone number; and
- your relationship to the person involved in the complaint.
- The name and address of the facility.
- The date and time of the incident (or how often the issue occurs, if it is ongoing).
- The names of everyone involved (such as residents, patients, staff, perpetrators, or witnesses).
- Include ages or dates of birth if needed, as well as room numbers or the specific location inside the facility.
- A detailed description of your complaint, including:
- Any injuries involved.
- Why you believe the incident happened and whether it was a one time event or part of a larger problem.
- Please note if you believe it is an immediate jeopardy situation (e.g., an immediate concern for the health and safety of resident[s]).
- Whether or not the facility has tried to address the issue.
- Any other actions you have taken, such as contacting other agencies or law enforcement, and any responses you received.
Complaints that do not include sufficient information cannot be investigated and may be closed without further action.
What to Expect After a Complaint is Submitted
Within three business days of submitting your complaint, you will receive an email confirming that it was received. Please note that IDOH can only review concerns that fall under state licensing laws, regulations, or federal Medicare requirements. If your complaint does not meet these criteria, IDOH is not able to investigate it.
The investigation timeline depends on the severity of the concern. Some investigations may take a few weeks, while others may take several months. All complaints are reviewed as quickly as possible based on severity and priority. Please allow up to 120 days for the investigation to be completed. IDOH staff cannot provide an update on the status of a complaint investigation until the entire process is completed.
Once the investigation begins, a state surveyor will enter the facility or entity without prior notice. Facilities do not receive advance warning of complaint investigations. During the investigation, a surveyor may contact you to request more information. After the investigation is completed, you will receive an email with the findings. Results are also available online (click here to access).
All complaints are kept confidential. Under state law, IDOH cannot identify or release the name of the person who submitted the complaint. Throughout the investigation, every effort is made to protect the identity of the complainant and any patient, resident, or client involved.
Other Agencies that Support Hoosiers
Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities.
- Phone: 1-800-622-4484
- Email: LongTermCareOmbudsman@FSSA.IN.gov
Division of Consumer Protection of Indiana Attorney General
- Mediates and investigates consumer complaints against businesses and other organizations and takes legal action on behalf of the state against individuals and companies that violate Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act.
- Phone: 1-800-382-1039
- Click here for online reporting.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Receives and investigates reports regarding adults who may be endangered.
- Phone: 1-800-992-6978
- Click here for online reporting.
Last Updated: Feb. 25, 2026
