Whether you're currently hospitalized, seeking medical care, or advocating for a loved one, you deserve to be heard, treated with dignity, and involved in decisions about your healthcare.
If you're experiencing difficulties with your medical team, concerned about the care you're receiving, or worried about being discharged before you're ready, there are people you can ask for help.
Patient Advocate or Patient Relations
If you feel your concerns aren't being heard, ask to speak with your hospital's Patient Advocate or Patient Relations department.
They can help you communicate concerns about your care, address problems, and explain how to file a formal grievance.
Hospital Social Worker or Case Manager
Ask for a social worker or case manager if you're concerned about your discharge, need assistance obtaining medical equipment, require home healthcare, or need help finding community services.
They can also help families understand available care options and coordinate discharge planning.
Charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor
If you're experiencing a problem with your immediate care, ask to speak with the charge nurse or nursing supervisor.
If your condition is worsening or you believe you're in immediate danger, alert your care team immediately rather than waiting for the formal complaint process.
Your Rights as a Hospital Patient
Hospitals participating in Medicare must inform patients of their rights, involve them in decisions about their care, and provide a process for resolving patient grievances.
You can ask for information about your diagnosis and treatment, participate in care planning, request or refuse treatment, and raise concerns about your safety.
You can also request information about how to file a formal complaint with the hospital.
If you have a disability or communication difficulties, you can request appropriate accommodations, including communication aids or qualified interpreters when needed.
If you're advocating for a loved one, ask the patient to identify you as someone they want involved in their care. HIPAA generally permits healthcare professionals to discuss relevant information with family members or caregivers when the patient agrees or does not object. Special provisions apply when a patient is incapacitated.
Being Discharged Before You're Ready?
If you're concerned that you or your loved one cannot safely return home, ask to speak with the hospital's discharge planner or case manager.
Explain your concerns, including any difficulties with mobility, medications, medical equipment, caregiving, or accessing necessary services.
Medicare - Fast Hospital Discharge Appeals
If you have Medicare and believe you're being discharged too soon, you may have the right to request an expedited appeal through an independent review organization.
Appeal deadlines are extremely important. Follow the instructions and deadlines on your Medicare discharge notice.
Outside Help & Patient Advocacy
California Department of Public Health — Healthcare Facility Complaints
California residents can submit complaints about care received at licensed hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities overseen by the department.
Patients, family members, caregivers, and other concerned individuals can submit complaints online.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Office for Civil Rights
If you believe you or your loved one experienced unlawful discrimination while receiving healthcare, you can file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
Complaints may involve disability discrimination, denial of necessary communication accommodations, or other violations of federal civil rights laws.
Complaints generally must be filed within 180 days, although extensions may be granted for good cause.
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman
If you or your loved one is receiving care in a nursing home or another long-term care facility, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help address concerns about mistreatment, residents' rights, neglect, safety, or quality of care.
This program specifically serves long-term care residents rather than patients in ordinary hospital settings. Phone: 1-800-231-4024
The statewide hotline is available 24/7 to receive and refer complaints.
You Have the Right to Speak Up
You deserve to understand your medical care and have your concerns taken seriously. If you're having difficulty advocating for yourself, ask for assistance from a patient advocate, social worker, or trusted person of your choosing.
If you're advocating for a loved one, your support and involvement can make a meaningful difference.
No one should have to survive alone. 🦋🧡
You have options for seeking help regardless of whether you have Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or no insurance.
If you believe you or a loved one is being discharged before it is safe to return home, immediately ask to speak with the hospital's patient advocate, social worker, or discharge planner.
Explain your concerns and ask for a review of the discharge plan.
If you have private insurance or Medicaid, contact your health plan to ask about urgent appeals and your options for challenging a denial of coverage.
If you do not have insurance, ask the hospital's social worker about available financial assistance and community resources.
Your options and appeal deadlines depend on your insurance and individual circumstances.
STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS — HOSPITAL COMPLAINTS
Every state has an agency responsible for overseeing healthcare facilities and investigating certain complaints about patient care.
If you experience unsafe conditions, neglect, mistreatment, or other concerns about hospital care, you can contact your state's healthcare facility licensing or survey agency.
Medicare provides a nationwide directory of State Survey Agencies, including contact information and complaint resources.
THE JOINT COMMISSION - PATIENT SAFETY COMPLAINTS
The Joint Commission accepts patient safety complaints about hospitals and other healthcare organizations it accredits.
Patients, family members, and caregivers can report concerns about unsafe care or problems involving patient safety.
The Joint Commission reviews concerns related to its accreditation standards. It does not resolve individual billing disputes or provide immediate medical intervention.
Phone: 1-800-994-6610 - Website:
NATIONAL LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
Every state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program that advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings.
Ombudsmen can help residents and their families address concerns about neglect, mistreatment, quality of care, residents' rights, and unsafe transfers or discharges.
This program serves long-term care residents rather than patients in ordinary hospital settings.
Call the Eldercare Locator to find your local Ombudsman.
Phone: 1-800-677-1116 - Website:
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE — APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS
If your health insurance company denies medically necessary treatment or refuses to cover certain services, you may have the right to appeal.
Many health plans provide internal appeals and independent external reviews. Urgent appeals may be available when waiting for a standard decision could seriously endanger your health.
Your state's Consumer Assistance Program or Department of Insurance may be able to help you understand your options.
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