Nursing Home Complaints in Montana: Where to Report

If someone you love lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Montana, you may notice things that worry you: weight loss, bruises, bedsores, missed medications, or a resident who seems afraid. Knowing where to report a concern makes it easier to act quickly. Montana has several official channels, and each one does a different job. This guide explains them and when it may also make sense to talk to a lawyer.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

Start by writing things down

Before or while you report, keep simple notes:

• the date and time of what you saw or heard,
• the names of staff involved, if you know them,
• photos of injuries or conditions, if you can take them respectfully,
• changes in health, weight, mood, or behavior,
• and any conversations with the facility about the problem.

Notes help every agency you contact, and they help a lawyer if you decide to seek legal advice later.

Option 1: Report a facility to DPHHS

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) licenses and certifies many health care and residential facilities. Its Office of Inspector General has a Report a Facility page for complaints about a facility that is licensed or certified by DPHHS.

This kind of complaint is about whether a facility is following the rules that apply to it. It is a regulatory process. It does not decide money claims or award compensation, but it can lead the state to look into conditions at the facility.

Option 2: Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works on behalf of residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities. DPHHS explains that the program exists in all states under the federal Older Americans Act and that Montana's program also acts under Title 50, Chapter 5 of the Montana Code Annotated.

According to DPHHS, Montana uses a decentralized system. A state long-term care ombudsman oversees the program, while local area agencies on aging, county councils on aging, and other contracted groups employ certified ombudsmen across the state. Ombudsmen help residents understand and use their rights. Their listed duties include:

• resolving problems or complaints from people living in assisted living or long-term care facilities,
• investigating claims of physical, verbal, or emotional abuse,
• investigating cases where residents are moved or released without proper notice or cause,
• and informing residents and the public about long-term care issues.

The DPHHS page lists a state ombudsman help line and a directory of regional and local ombudsmen. Both help lines are only available during normal business hours.

Option 3: Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Adult Protective Services

If you think a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, Montana's Adult Protective Services (APS) takes reports. DPHHS says APS works to protect older people and adults with disabilities from abuse, neglect, or exploitation, while supporting the person's safety, freedom, and right to make their own choices.

APS explains the terms this way:

• Abuse is a threat to a person's health or safety caused by another person. It can be physical, emotional, or sexual.
• Neglect is the failure to provide the care or services needed to maintain a vulnerable adult's health and safety.
• Exploitation is the misuse or improper handling of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or other resources.

For concerns that are not life threatening, APS says you can report online or by phone during office hours. For emergencies, call 911.

Know the resident's rights

The ombudsman page summarizes residents' rights under the federal Nursing Home Reform Act and Montana's statutes on the rights of long-term care facility residents (Title 50, Chapter 5, Part 11 MCA). The rights listed include, among others, the right to:

• be fully informed before admission of their rights, services, and charges,
• be fully informed by a physician of their medical condition and take part in planning treatment,
• communicate privately with anyone they choose,
• file a complaint without facing coercion or reprisal,
• be told the outcome of complaints,
• and see the results of the most recent state or federal inspection of the facility.

Knowing these rights can help you raise concerns with the facility in a clear and calm way.

When to talk to a lawyer

The reporting channels above focus on protecting residents and checking whether facilities follow the rules. They do not usually get compensation for harm. If a resident was seriously injured, developed serious bedsores, suffered a fall with injuries, or died, the family may want to speak with a lawyer about legal options.

Lawyers who handle these cases often work in personal injury or medical malpractice. When you call, ask:

• How much of your work involves nursing home or long-term care cases in Montana?
• What records should we request, and from whom?
• What deadlines might apply?
• How do you charge, and how are case costs handled?
• Should we keep reporting to DPHHS, the ombudsman, or APS while you review the case?

You can browse lawyers in Montana on our site. Check any lawyer's license with the State Bar of Montana before hiring. A lawyer can describe past work but cannot promise a result.

Free and low-cost help

The Montana Supreme Court's free Court Help Program gives legal information on civil issues and runs self-help centers in several counties. DPHHS also has an Adult Protective and Legal Services section for older Montanans. For general state agency contacts, see the USAGov state governments page.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I report a Montana nursing home to?

You can file a complaint about a facility licensed or certified by DPHHS through its Office of Inspector General. You can also contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and you can report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Adult Protective Services.

What does the long-term care ombudsman do?

Ombudsmen help residents understand and exercise their rights, work to resolve complaints, and investigate concerns such as abuse or improper discharge, according to DPHHS.

Will filing a complaint get my family compensation?

Usually not. State complaints and ombudsman help focus on residents' safety and facility rules. If you want to explore compensation for harm, talk to a lawyer.

Can I report anonymously?

Ask the agency when you contact it. Each program has its own process, and staff can explain what information they need.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.