The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is responsible for assuring the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Wisconsin. If any individual believes that a caregiver, agency, or DQA regulated facility has violated State or Federal laws pertaining to regulated entities, that individual has the right to file a complaint with DQA.
There are several ways to file a complaint with DQA. Refer to the options that are listed under each provider type below.
During the complaint intake process, you may be asked for the county the provider is located in. If you do not know what county a community is in, please see Wisconsin Cities, Villages, Townships and Unincorporated Places.
In addition to the information below, please also view "Problems with Health Professionals" in the Wisconsin Consumer Guide to Health Care, especially regarding billing and insurance.
Filing a Complaint Resource Sheet (PDF)
Nursing Homes
- To contact the appropriate DQA Regional Office directly, please refer to the Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care regional office map.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Assisted Living Facilities
Includes Community-Based Residential Facilities, Adult Family Homes (group homes), Adult Day Care and Residential Care Apartment Complexes.
- To contact the appropriate DQA Regional Office directly, please refer to the Bureau of Assisted Living regional office map.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Facilities Serving People with Developmental Disabilities
- To contact the appropriate DQA Regional Office directly, please refer to the Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care regional office map.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Home Health and Hospice Agencies
- Home Health and Hospice Complaint Hotline Information: Call 1-800-642-6552 or 608-267-1441 (Madison) for both home health and hospice.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To file a complaint via mail:
- Home Health: Complete and mail the Home Health Agency Complaint Report, F-62069 (PDF)
- Hospice: Complete and mail the Hospice Patient Complaint, F-62287 (PDF)
Clinical Laboratories
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Corporate Guardianships
Other Non-Long-Term Care Providers
Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, End Stage Renal Dialysis, Outpatient Rehabilitation Agencies, Pain Clinics, Personal Care Agencies, Rural Health Clinics.
- Contact the Division of Quality Assurance at 608-266-8481.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
- To submit a written complaint, mail to:
DQA/Bureau of Health Services
Complaint Coordinator
819 N 6th St., Room 609-B
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
- Contact the Behavioral Health Certification Section of the Division of Quality Assurance at 608-261-0656.
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
- To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Complaints Regarding Caregiver Misconduct
Specific incident between a caregiver and a resident or patient, including but not limited to:
- abuse (hitting, slapping, verbal, mental, sexual)
- neglect (intentionally withholding care, failure to carry out a plan of care, disregard of policy)
- misappropriation (theft of money, identity, credit cards or jewelry, misuse of property, such as using a client's phone without consent)
For all misconduct complaints regarding:
- non-credentialed caregivers (nurse aides, home health aides, personal care workers, etc.)
- credentialed staff (nurses, doctors, dentists, counselors, etc.)
- professional staff who are certified by the WI Certification Board
Call the Caregiver Intake Unit at 608-261-8319, Division of Quality Assurance, or
- To file a complaint online, email DQA at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov.
To use the toll free number to file a complaint dial 1-800-642-6552.
Additional Complaint Information
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights: How to File A Health Information Privacy Complaint (HIPAA)
