Maryland Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Maryland assisted living program. Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in Maryland, contact Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health at (410) 402-8217 or 1-800-492-6005 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at (410) 767-1100 or 1-800-243-3425.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Maryland assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Maryland, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Programs and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Maryland
Assisted Living Programs in Maryland are licensed and investigated by the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), a unit of the Maryland Department of Health. Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not certified by Medicare or Medicaid through the federal government, so the state is the primary authority responsible for setting standards and enforcing them. OHCQ conducts licensing inspections and investigates complaints about the care and conditions in these programs.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Maryland
You can report concerns about a Maryland Assisted Living Program to the Office of Health Care Quality by phone at (410) 402-8217 or toll-free at 1-800-492-6005, or by submitting the online assisted living complaint form. You may file your complaint anonymously, but providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up. When you file, give as much detail as possible — the names of the residents and staff involved, the dates and times of the events, and a clear description of what you observed — because specific information helps OHCQ direct and complete its investigation.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Maryland
In Maryland, memory care is delivered within an Assisted Living Program that operates a licensed Alzheimer's Special Care Unit. A program that markets or provides specialized dementia care must file a written disclosure with the state describing how the unit's care differs from standard assisted living, and staff who provide direct care on the unit must complete additional hours of dementia-specific training. If you have concerns about a memory care or Alzheimer's special care unit, you file a complaint the same way you would for any other assisted living program — through the Office of Health Care Quality.
MarylandAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Maryland Licenses Assisted Living
Maryland licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Programs under the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), part of the Maryland Department of Health. Memory care is provided within Assisted Living Programs that operate a licensed Alzheimer's Special Care Unit, which must meet additional disclosure and staff-training requirements.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years from the date of injury. A discovery rule may apply, meaning the clock may not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
After a complaint is received, the Office of Health Care Quality triages it based on the seriousness of the allegations. Complaints involving immediate danger to a resident's health or safety are prioritized for the fastest response, while other complaints are scheduled for investigation according to their assigned priority level.
Unannounced Inspections
On-site investigations of assisted living programs are conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe the facility's day-to-day conditions and care as they normally occur, without advance notice that would allow the program to prepare.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Office of Health Care Quality can follow up with you for additional details and notify you of the general outcome of the investigation once it is complete. Anonymous complainants cannot be contacted or notified of results.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the Office of Health Care Quality issues a statement of deficiencies and requires the program to submit a plan of correction. For serious or repeated violations, the agency can impose sanctions, civil money penalties, directed plans of correction, and a ban on new admissions, and it can suspend or revoke the program's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Maryland. The Office of Health Care Quality accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health: app.smartsheet.com
- Resident rights — COMAR 10.07.14.36: law.cornell.edu
- Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman: aging.maryland.gov
- Mailing address — Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health: Office of Health Care Quality, Maryland Department of Health, 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Maryland?expand_more
What is the assisted living complaint phone number in Maryland, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Maryland?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.