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 listed under each provider type below or you may also refer to the Filing a Complaint Resource Sheet, P-00082 (PDF)
In addition to the information below, please also view Problems with Health Professionals, especially regarding billing and insurance.
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.
- 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
- 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.
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To submit a written complaint, mail to:
DQA/Bureau of Health Services
Complaint Coordinator
819 N 6th St., Room 609-B
Milwaukee, WI 53203
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)
