Reviewed by Laurence P. Banville, Esq.Frequently asked questions
What number do you call to report a nursing home in New York?
Call the New York State Department of Health (DOH) complaint hotline at 1-888-201-4563, available 24 hours a day. You can also file a complaint online through the DOH website at health.ny.gov. The DOH investigates all complaints and has authority to inspect the facility and impose penalties.
What happens after you report a nursing home to the state in NY?
After a complaint is filed, the New York DOH typically assigns an investigator who may conduct an unannounced on-site inspection of the facility. If violations are found, the state can issue citations, impose fines, or place the facility under a corrective action plan. Serious findings can also be forwarded to the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Does calling the state give a nursing home resident the right to sue in New York?
Yes. Under NY Public Health Law §2801-d, nursing home residents in New York have a private right of action to sue a facility for any deprivation of their rights or benefits — including the right to adequate care and freedom from abuse. A state complaint can document the violations that form the basis of a civil lawsuit and may be used as evidence in that case.
Should I also contact a lawyer when reporting a nursing home to the state?
Yes — a lawyer can act alongside a state complaint, not instead of it. The DOH investigates for regulatory violations, but only a civil lawsuit can recover compensation for your family member’s injuries. An attorney can preserve evidence, review medical records, and file a claim under NY Public Health Law §2801-d before the statute of limitations runs out, which is generally three years from the date of injury.