Reporting Elder Abuse

Adult Protective Services

If the person suspected of being abused, neglected, or exploited is a resident of an Adult Foster Care Home the APS reporting requirements described in the preceding section should be followed. In addition, the reporter may also file a complaint with the following agencies.

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs: Bureau of Community and Health Systems

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is responsible for investigating complaints of violations of the AFC licensing law, rules, and policies. If you suspect an elderly person of being abused, neglected, or exploited, a complaint should be made to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems
Children and Adult Licensing-Complaint Intake
Unit 611 W. Ottawa, 1st Floor
P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 866-856-0126
Fax: 517-284-9739

A complaint may be completed and submitted online from the LARA website. A complaint form can also be filled in online, then printed and mailed or faxed to the department at the above address. A complaint can also be made by calling the toll free number, 866-856-0126 or, if the complaint involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation, by calling 855-444-3911.

The identity of the person making the complaint is confidential. It is subject to disclosure only with the consent of the person making the complaint, or if the investigation results in an administrative or judicial proceeding.

Office of Recipient Rights

If the person resides in an AFC home that is certified as a specialized program for persons with mental illness or a developmental disability, a complaint should also be made to the Office of Recipient Rights (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services). A complaint also can be made to the Genesee Health System (formerly Community Mental Health) Recipient Rights Officer. The Office of Recipient Rights is responsible for investigating complaints of violations of rights protected under the Mental Health Code and the Department of Health and Human Services rules and policies. A Recipient Rights Complaint Form is available from the Department of Health and Human Services website. It can be completed online. The completed form should be mailed to:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Recipient Rights
Elliott-Larsen Building
320 South Walnut Street
Lansing, MI 48933

Or:

Genesee Health System
Recipient Rights Director
420 W. Fifth Avenue
Flint, MI 48503-2494
Phone: 810-257-3710
Toll Free: 877-668-8933

A complaint can also be made by calling the statewide MDHHS-ORR toll free hotline: 800-854-9090

Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman

Phone: 866-485-9393

The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for the rights of residents in long term care facilities, including adult foster care facilities. The LTCO Program is a project of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services. The LTCO Program will investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and attempt to resolve the matter. The program can also assist residents and their families with information on a wide range of long term care issues, including information on choosing an adult foster care home or other long term care facility.

Department of Attorney General

Phone: 800-242-2873 (800-24-ABUSE)

The Michigan Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division investigates complaints of abuse and neglect in resident care facilities and complaints of Medicaid provider fraud. A Medicaid Fraud Complaint Form or a Patient Abuse Complaint Form may be filed online from the Attorney General’s website. Copies of supporting documents can be mailed or emailed to:

Department of Attorney General
Health Care Fraud Division
P.O. Box 30218
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: hcf@michigan.gov

Or:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Department: Elder Abuse Unit
Phone: 810-257-3422 (Radio Room)

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) investigates complaints of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of nursing home residents that involve violations of federal or state nursing home laws and regulations. A person who suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation may make a verbal complaint or a written complaint to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems-Health Facility Complaints
P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 800-882-6006
Fax: 517-763-0219

A Health Facility Complaint Form can be completed and submitted online at the Department’s website. A complaint form can also be filled in online, then printed and mailed, emailed, or faxed to the Department. A complaint can also be made by calling the toll-free Complaint Hotline.

The identity of the person making the complaint is confidential, subject to disclosure only with the consent of that person or if the investigation results in an administrative or judicial proceeding.

Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman

Phone: 866-485-9393

The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for the rights of residents in long term care facilities, including nursing homes. The LTCO Program is a project of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services. The LTCO Program will investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and attempt to resolve the matter. The program can also assist residents and their families with information on a wide range of long term care issues, including information on choosing a nursing home or other long term care facility.

Adult Protective Services

If a person residing in a nursing home is subjected to abuse, neglect or exploitation by someone outside the facility, such as a family member or former caregiver, the APS reporting requirements described in the preceding section should be followed.

Department of Attorney General

Phone: 800-242-2873 (800-24-ABUSE)

The Michigan Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division investigates complaints of abuse and neglect in resident care facilities and complaints of Medicaid provider fraud. A Medicaid Fraud Complaint Form or a Patient Abuse Complaint Form may be filed online from the Attorney General’s website. Copies of supporting documents can be mailed or emailed to:

Health Care Fraud Division
P.O. Box 30218
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: hcf@michigan.gov

Or:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Department: Elder Abuse Unit
Phone: 810-257-3422 (Radio Room)

Adult Protective Services

If the person suspected of being abused, neglected, or exploited is a resident of a Home for the Aged the APS reporting requirements described in the preceding section should be followed. In addition, the reporter may also file a complaint with the following agencies.

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs: Bureau of Community and Health Systems

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is responsible for investigating complaints of violations of the Home for the Aged licensing law, rules, and policies. A complaint should be made to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems
Children and Adult Licensing-Complaint Intake
611 W. Ottawa, 1st Floor
P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 866-856-0126
Fax: 517-284-9739

A complaint may be completed and submitted online from the LARA website. A complaint form can also be filled in online, then printed and mailed or faxed to the Department at the above address. A complaint can also be made by calling the toll free number, 866-856-0126 or, if the complaint involves abuse, neglect, or exploitation, by calling 855-444-3911.

The identity of the person making the complaint is confidential, subject to disclosure only with the consent of that person or if the investigation results in an administrative or judicial proceeding.

Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman

Phone: 866-485-9393

The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for the rights of residents in long term care facilities, including homes for the aged. The LTCO Program is a project of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services. The LTCO Program will investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and attempt to resolve the matter. The program can also assist residents and their families with information on a wide range of long term care issues, including information on choosing a home for the aged or other long term care facility.

Department of Attorney General

Phone: 800-242-2873 (800-24-ABUSE)

The Michigan Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division investigates complaints of abuse and neglect in resident care facilities and complaints of Medicaid provider fraud. A Medicaid Fraud Complaint Form or a Patient Abuse Complaint Form may be filed on line from the Attorney General’s website. Copies of supporting documents can be mailed or emailed to:

Department of Attorney General
Health Care Fraud Division
P.O. Box 30218
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: hcf@michigan.gov

Or:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Department: Elder Abuse Unit
Phone: 810-257-3422 (Radio Room)