Healthcare providers, like anyone, are human and can make mistakes.
Sometimes your healthcare providers practices may be inappropriate or unethical.
Where to Lodge a Complaint
The first step is to assess who you should complain to.
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In some instances, you cancomplain directly to your healthcare provider.
Other times, you may need to talk to the hospital administrator or the state licensing board.
It depends on the problem and how convinced you are that it was intentional.
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Many government and institutional authorities allow you to file a complaint directly on their websites.
For others, you may need to write a letter to send in the mail.
The point is to highlight the inappropriate behavior, not your response to it.
Finally, dont go in assuming that your efforts will be for naught.
If your complaint is appropriate and properly directed, the chances are good that it will be heard.
What Happens After You File a Complaint?
These agencies know that not all complaints are fair to healthcare providers.
The healthcare providers ability to practice can be interrupted temporarily or permanently if necessary.
A medical malpractice attorney can help you determine whether starting a medical malpractice lawsuit makes sense.
A lawsuit can help you recover losses resulting from the incident.
But that does not mean that you shouldnt act.
Talk to your healthcare provider directly to provide feedback on how your care can be improved.
Department of Health and Human Services.How to file a civil rights complaint.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.How to appeal an insurance company decision.
Patient Advocate Foundation.A patient’s guide to navigating the insurance appeals process.
Medicare.Filing complaints about a doctor, hospital, or provider.
Federation of State Medical Boards.Addressing sexual boundaries: guidelines for state medical boards.
Department of Health & Human Services.Enforcement Highlights.
