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Health & fitness
July 2005
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Contact information for state assisted-living facilities

There is no federal oversight of assisted-living facilities and state regulations can vary quite a bit. Most states require facilities to obtain a license. But Indiana, for example, only requires facilities that dispense medication to be licensed. In other states, facilities need only be licensed if they provide more than room and board. To add to the confusion, some states refer to these facilities as boarding homes or residential-care facilities rather than assisted-living homes, or have different levels of licensing requirements depending on the specific care the homes provide. Many states will inspect more frequently than indicated in the chart if there have been problems or concerns.

Before you choose a residence, you should obtain inspection reports (often called surveys) and check to see if other consumers have filed complaints about facilities you are considering. The following chart contains contact information you will need for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You may obtain this information for free unless a charge is noted. Information was gathered from each state in late May 2005. For additional information, visit the Web site of the National Center for Assisted Living (www.ncal.org) for its 2005 Assisted Living State Regulatory Review.

State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
Alabama Department of Public Health No inspection frequency requirement Assisted-living complaint hotline: 866-873-0366. Charge: $1 per page for first 25 pages; 50¢ after that. Plus, a $5 retrieval fee. To file a complaint, call the assisted-living complaint hotline:
866-873-0366. To check past complaints, call the Assisted Living Division: 334-206-5575. Charge: $1 per page for first 25 pages; 50¢ after that. Plus, a $5 retrieval fee.
Alaska Assisted Living Home Licensing Department Annually Request in writing: Assisted Living Home Licensing Department, 619 East Ship Creek Ave., Suite 232, Anchorage, AK 99501 Licensing Department: 907-269-3640
Arizona Department of Health Services Annually Department of Health Services: 602-364-2639 Department of Health Services: 602-364-2639
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care At least annually Should be posted at facility, or call the Freedom of Information Division of the Office of Long-Term Care: 501-682-8466 To file a complaint, call the complaint department at the Office of Long-Term Care:
501-682-8430. For past complaints, call:
501-682-8466.
California Department of Social Services At least once every 5 years Call your local district licensing office; numbers are listed online:
www.ccld.ca.gov		 Call your local district licensing office; numbers are listed online: www.ccld.ca.gov
Colorado Health Facilities Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Health and fire/safety inspections annually for 2 years, then alternating every year after that. Request in writing and fax to the Health Facilities Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: 303-753-6214 or by e-mail: health.facilities@state.co.us Charge: 50¢ a page for copies. Request in writing and fax to the Health Facilities Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health: 303-753-6214 or by e-mail: health.facilities@state.co.us Charge: 50¢ a page for copies. Complaints may also be filed or found online at www.healthfacilities.info.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Every other year Department of Public Health: 860-509-7444. No charge for reports under 40 pages, then 25¢ a page. To file a complaint or for past complaints, call the Department of Public Health: 860-509-7400.
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection At least annually Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection:
302-577-6661 		Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection:
302-577-6661
District of Columbia Plans to begin inspections in fall 2005 NA NA Currently does not compile complaint information
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Every other year Agency for Health Care Administration's Public Records Office:
850-414-6044 		To file a complaint: 888-419-3456. To check past complaints, call the Agency for Health Care Administration's Public Records Office:
850-414-6044.
Georgia Office of Regulatory Services Annually Find the reports online at ww2.state.ga.us/ departments/dhr/ors. Or call the Office of Regulatory Services:
800-878-6442,
404-657-5726, or
404-657-5728. Charge: 25¢ a page. 		Online at ww2.state.ga.us/ departments/dhr/ors. Or call the Office of Regulatory Services: 800-878-6442, or 404-657-5726;
404-657-5728. Charge: 25¢ a page.
Hawaii Office of Health Care Assurance Annually Call Barbara Yashioka at the Office of Health Care Assurance: 808-692-7400 Call the Long-Term care Ombudsman's office:
808-586-0100. Or Barbara Yashioka at the Office of Health Care Assurance:
808-692-7400.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare No regular inspection specified, but facilities inspected every 3 to 4 years Call the Department of Health and Welfare's Administrative Procedures Office:
208-334-5552 		To file a complaint, call the Bureau of Facility Standards: 208-334-6626. To check past complaints, call the Department of Health and Welfare's Administrative Procedures Office:
208-334-5552.
Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Assisted Living Annually Department of Public Health's Division of Assisted Living: 217-782-2913 Call the Department of Public Health's Division of Assisted Living: 217-782-2913
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
Indiana Department of Health Annually State Department of Health: 317-233-7442 for licensed facilities State Department of Health: 317-233-7497 for licensed facilities or
317-233-7784 for nonlicensed facilities. Or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at
800-622-4484 or
317-232-7134 for licensed and nonlicensed facilities.
Iowa Health Facilities Division of the Department of Inspections and Appeals Every other year Available online under "Report Cards" at www
.dia-hfd.state.ia.us		 Available online under "Complaints" at www
.dia-hfd.state.ia.us
Kansas Department on Aging Every 12 to 15 months If not posted at the facility, call the Department on Aging: 800-842-0078 in state, or 785-296-4986. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies. Call the Department on Aging; 800-842-0078 in state, or
785-296-4986. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies.
Kentucky Division of Aging Services Annually Call the Open Records Department of the Division of Aging Services: 502-564-6930. Charge: 10¢ a page for copies. Check or make complaints through the Open Records department of the Division of Aging Services:
502-564-6930. Charge: 10¢ a page for copies.
Louisiana Department of Social Services Annually Available online at www.dss.state.la.us or through the Department of Social Services: 225-922-0015 Available online at www.dss.state.la.us or through the Department of Social Services: 225-922-0015
Maine Community Services Programs—
Division of Licensing and Certification 		Every 1 to 3 years, depending on type of program Call the Division of Licensing and Certification: 207-287-9250 Call the Division of Licensing and Certification: 207-287-9250. Also, to file call the complaint line: 800-383-2441.
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
Maryland State Health Department, Office of Health Care Quality Annually Write to the Office of Health Care Quality, Spring Grove Center, 55 Wade Ave., Bland Bryant Building, Catonsville, MD 21228. Charge: 50¢ a page for copies. To make a complaint, call
877-402-8221. To check on complaints, write to the Office of Health Care Quality, Spring Grove Center, 55 Wade Ave., Bland Bryant Building, Catonsville, MD 21228. Charge: 50¢ a page for copies.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Every 2 years Request in writing and fax to 617-727-9368, or send to Maggie Dionne, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. Request in writing and fax to 617-727-9368, or send to Maggie Dionne, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108; or call Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 617-727-7750.
Michigan Office of Children And Adult Licensing Homes for the Aged inspected annually, Adult Foster Care Homes inspected every 2 years Available online at www.michigan.gov/dhs or call the Office of Children And Adult Licensing: 866-856-1026 Available online at www.michigan.gov/dhs or call the Office of Children and Adult Licensing:
866-856-1026
Minnesota Department of Health Annually Department of Health Assisted Living Home Care Provider Survey at www.health.state.mn.us/ divs/fpc/profinfo/cms/alhcp/ alhcpsurvey.htm Check Web site for Office of Health Facility Complaints: www.health.state. mn.us/divs/fpc/ohfcinfo/
contohfc.htm
Mississippi Department of Health Annually Should be posted at facility, or call the Department of Health Public Information Office:
601-576-7300. Charge: 25¢ a page plus $40 per hour for copies and mailing. 		Call the Department of Health Public Information Office:
601-576-7300. Charge: 25¢ a page plus $40 per hour for copies and mailing.
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services 2 times a year Should be posted at the facility, or online at www.dhss.mo.gov/show melongtermcare To file a complaint, call the DHSS elder abuse and neglect hotline: 800-392-0210. To check on complaints, call
573-526-3050
Montana Licensure Bureau Every 1, 2, or 3 years depending on status of compliance Send written request to Licensure Bureau, Quality Assurance Division, DPHHS, 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59620 To file a complaint, call 406-444-0596. To check on complaints, send written request to Licensure Bureau, Quality Assurance Division, DPHHS, 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59620
Nebraska Nebraska Department of Regulation and Licensure, Credentialing Division Every five years Call the Credentialing Division at 402-471-0309. Charge: 15¢ a page to copy 10 to 50 pages. To file a complaint, call the Credentialing Division at
402-471-0316. To check complaints: 402-471-0309. Charge: 15¢ a page to copy 10 to 50 pages.
Nevada Bureau of Licensure and Certification Annually Fax written request to
775-687-6588, or write Health Bureau Division of Licensure and Certification, 1550 East College Parkway, Suite 158, Carson City, NV 89706 		Fax written request to
775-687-6588, or write Health Division Bureau of Licensure and Certification, 1550 East College Parkway, suite 158, Carson City, NV 89706. To file: 800-225-3414
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Annually Should be posted at facility, or call Department of Health and Human Services: 800-852-3345, ext. 4592. Charge: 50¢ a page for copies. Should be posted at facility, or call Department of Health and Human Services: 800-852-3345, ext. 4592. Charge: 50¢ a page for copies.
New Jersey Senior Services--
Division of Long Term Care Systems 		Annually Should be posted at facility, or fill out form online at www.state.nj.us/opra To file a complaint, call
800-792-9770. To get complaint information, fill out form online at www.state.nj.us/opra.
New Mexico Health Facilities Licensing and Certification Bureau Annually Send written request to Office of the General Council, 1190 St. Francis Drive N4095, Santa Fe, NM 87502. Charge: Ranges from 25¢ to 50¢ per page, depending on number of pages. To file a complaint:
800-752-8649. To check complaints write to: Office of the General Council, 1190 St. Francis Drive N4095, Santa Fe, NM 87502. Charge: Ranges from 25¢ to 50¢ per page, depending on number of pages.
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
New York State Department of Health Annually Call the Division of Home and Community Based Care: 518-408-1600 To file a complaint, call the Adult Home Complaint Line: 866-893-6772. To check past complaints, call the Division of Home and Community Based Care: 518-408-1600.
North Carolina Department of Social Services in each county Annual assessment, then monitoring at least quarterly Call Adult Care Licensure Section:
919-855-3765 		To file a complaint, call Complaint Intake Unit: 919-733-8499. To check past complaints, call Adult Care Licensure Section:
919-855-3765.
North Dakota Department of Health Annually Call the Public Health Information line:
701-328-2352 		To file or check a complaint call 800-451-8693
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Long Term Care Quality Annually Write the Department of Health, Division of Quality Assurance/BIOS, 206 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 Attn: Christine Allen. Charge: 5¢ a page for all pages if 41 or more pages copied. To file a complaint, call the complaint Hotline: 800-342-0553 in Ohio; 614-752-6490 out of state. To check compliaints, call the Public Information Office: 614-466-7217. Charge: 5¢ a page for all pages if 41 or more pages copied.
Oklahoma Department of Health Every 12 to 15 months Call the State Department of Health at
405-271-6868. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies. 		Call the State Department of Health at
405-271-6868 or the hotline at 800-747-8419. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies.
Oregon Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilties Licensing and Quality of Care Every 2 years Check facilities first; each should have a copy. Call the : 800-232-3020 in state, 503-945-5832 out of state. To check complaints, call the in-state hotline: 800-232-3020 (from out of state: 503-945-5832) or the local office in your area. To file a complaint, call the local office of the Area Agency on Aging or Seniors and People with Disabilities.
Pennsylvania Pubic Welfare Department Annually Call the Public Welfare Department at
800-254-5164. Office may refer consumers to a regional branch. 		Call the Public Welfare Department at 800-254-5164. Office may refer consumers to a regional branch.
Rhode Island Department of Health Annually Should be posted at the facility. Or write to Health Facilities Regulation, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097. Charge: 25¢ per page for large copy requests. To file a complaint, call
401-222-5200. To check complaints, write to Health Facilities Regulation , 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097. Charge: 25¢ a page for large copy requests.
State Who inspects Frequency To obtain inspections To make or check on complaints
South Carolina Department of Health Annually Send written request to Mr. Jody Hamm, FOIA, 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201, or fax request to 803-898-3816 To file a complaint, call
803-545-4370. To check complaints, send written request to Mr. Jody Hamm, FOIA, 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201, or fax request to 803-898-3816.
South Dakota Department of Health Every 9 to 15 months Should be available at the facility, or call the Department of Health at 605-773-3497 To file a complaint or to check on complaints call the complaint coordinator: 605-773-3497
Tennessee Department of Health Every 12 to 15 months Call the Department of Health regional office in your area: Middle: Nina Monroe, 615-750-7100 West: Shirley Jones, 731-423-6454, East: Faye Vance, 865-588-5656 Call the Department of Health Licensing Agency: 877-287- 0010 or the long-term care ombudsman's office at
877-236-0013
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Annually Available online at www.dads.state.tx.us Call the Texas complaint hotline: 800-458-9858
Utah Department of Health Annually Find reports online at http://health.utah.gov/hflcra, under 'Report cards" To file a complaint, call the Utah hotline at 800-999-7339. Check complaints online at http://health.utah.gov/hflcra, under 'Report Cards."
Vermont Division of Licensing and Protection Annually Call the Division of Licensing and Protection:
802-241-2345 		Call the Division of Licensing and Protection:
802-241-2345
Virginia Department of Social Services At least once a year, varies by type of license Call the Department of Licensing Division:
804-726-7143 		Call the Department of Licensing Division:
804-726-7143
Washington Aging and Disability Services of the Department of Social and Health Services At least every 18 months--15 months is typical Call the Aging and Disability Office:
800-422-3263 		To file a complaint, call the complaint hotline at 800-562-6078. To check complaints, call the Aging and Disability Office:
800-422-3263.
West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification Annually Write the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, Legal Dept., 1 Davis Square, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25301. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies. To file a complaint, call
304-558-0050. To check complaints, write: Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, Legal Dept., 1 Davis Square, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25301. Charge: 25¢ a page for copies.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Quality Assurance Every 2years Get from regional offices. Phone numbers can be found online at www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/ bqaconsumer/AssistedLiving/ ALSreglmap.htm. FIle complaint or get information from regional offices. Phone numbers can be found online at www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/ bqaconsumer/AssistedLiving/ ALSreglmap.htm.
Wyoming Health Care Licensing and Survey Annually Call Health Care Licensing and Survey: 307-777-7123 Call Health Care Licensing and Survey: 307-777-7123