Wisconsin Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Wisconsin assisted living facility (CBRF or RCAC). 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
Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, contact Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living at 800-642-6552 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-800-815-0015.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Wisconsin assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Wisconsin, assisted living facilities are licensed as Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs), Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs), and Adult Family Homes, and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Wisconsin
Assisted living facilities are licensed and investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living. Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not federally certified by Medicare, so the state — not the federal government — is the primary authority for complaints, inspections, and enforcement.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Wisconsin
You can report a suspected violation to the Division of Quality Assurance toll-free at 800-642-6552, by email at DHSwebmailDQA@wisconsin.gov, or through the online complaint intake survey on the DHS website. Complaints can be made orally or in writing, and you may remain anonymous. Provide as much detail as possible — resident names, dates, times, and what you observed — so investigators can act quickly.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Wisconsin
Many Wisconsin CBRFs and other assisted living settings serve residents with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Facilities that care for residents with dementia must meet additional staff-training and program requirements and describe their dementia-care services to residents and families. Complaints about a memory care unit follow the same process and go to the same Division of Quality Assurance number above.
WisconsinAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Wisconsin Licenses Assisted Living
Wisconsin regulates assisted living through several categories under the Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living. The most common is the Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF); the state also regulates Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs) and Adult Family Homes (AFHs). Memory care for residents with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is provided within these settings under additional staffing and program requirements.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years. Claims may fall under either personal injury or medical malpractice statutes, depending on the specific circumstances. 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 receiving a complaint, the Division of Quality Assurance reviews and prioritizes it based on the seriousness of the allegations. Complaints alleging an immediate threat to resident health or safety are prioritized and investigated more quickly, while other complaints are scheduled for review in due course.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations of assisted living facilities are conducted unannounced so surveyors can observe conditions as they normally are.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Division of Quality Assurance will notify you of the outcome of the investigation. Anonymous complainants will not receive a follow-up.
Enforcement Actions
If violations are substantiated, the Division of Quality Assurance can require a plan of correction, issue citations and forfeitures (fines), impose conditions on the license, and in serious cases suspend or revoke the facility's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Wisconsin. The Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living 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 — Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living: dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Resident rights — Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 83, subch. VI: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
- Wisconsin Long-Term Care Ombudsman: boaltc.wi.gov
- Mailing address — Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living: Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Assisted Living, PO Box 2969, Madison, WI 53701-2969
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint in Wisconsin anonymously?expand_more
How do I report an assisted living problem in Wisconsin and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living complaint in Wisconsin?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.