Minnesota Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Minnesota assisted living facility. 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
Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC)
Minnesota 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 Minnesota, contact Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) at 651-201-4200 or 1-800-369-7994 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Minnesota Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-800-657-3591.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Minnesota assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Minnesota, assisted living facilities are licensed under Chapter 144G and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Minnesota
Assisted living facilities in Minnesota are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, and complaints are investigated by its Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC). Minnesota began requiring assisted living facility licensure in 2021, replacing an older housing-with-services model. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare or Medicaid through the federal government, the state is the primary authority responsible for licensing these facilities and investigating complaints about the care and conditions in them.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Minnesota
You can report concerns about a Minnesota assisted living facility to the Office of Health Facility Complaints by phone at 651-201-4200 or toll-free at 1-800-369-7994, by email at health.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us, or through the online complaint form. You may file your complaint anonymously, but providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up. 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 OHFC direct and complete its investigation.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a facility that provides memory care must hold a separate "Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care" license. This designation carries additional requirements covering secured settings, staffing levels, and dementia-specific training for staff who care for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. If you have concerns about a memory care setting, you file a complaint the same way you would for any other assisted living facility — through the Office of Health Facility Complaints.
MinnesotaAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Minnesota Licenses Assisted Living
Minnesota licenses assisted living facilities under Chapter 144G of the Minnesota Statutes, through the Minnesota Department of Health. Facilities that serve residents with dementia hold a separate "Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care" license, which carries additional requirements for secured settings, staffing, and training.
Statute of Limitations
4 to 6 years
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 6 years for standard negligence and 4 years for medical malpractice. The applicable deadline depends on how the claim is classified. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand which statute applies 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
When the Office of Health Facility Complaints receives a complaint, it triages the allegations and assigns a priority based on the seriousness of the alleged harm. Complaints involving an immediate risk to a resident's health or safety are prioritized for the fastest response, while lower-priority complaints are scheduled according to their assigned level.
Unannounced Inspections
On-site investigations and surveys of assisted living facilities are conducted unannounced so that investigators can observe the facility's actual conditions and care, without advance notice that would allow the facility to prepare.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Office of Health Facility Complaints can follow up with you for additional details and notify you of the outcome once the investigation is complete. Anonymous complainants cannot be contacted or notified of the results.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the Minnesota Department of Health issues correction orders and can impose fines and penalties. For serious or repeated violations, the department can place a facility on a conditional license and can suspend or revoke the facility's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Minnesota. The Office of Health Facility Complaints 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 — Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC): health.state.mn.us
- Resident rights — Minn. Stat. § 144G.91: revisor.mn.gov
- Minnesota Long-Term Care Ombudsman: mn.gov
- Mailing address — Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC): Office of Health Facility Complaints, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64970, St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Minnesota?expand_more
What is the assisted living complaint phone number in Minnesota, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Minnesota?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.