Options for Filing Complaints and Grievances Against Healthcare Providers
Revision Date: May 12, 2022
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Purpose of this Publication
If you feel you were mistreated by a hospital, healthcare facility, doctor, or another mental health professional, you may want to file a complaint about your experience. The following list provides some options for filing complaints.
If you want to sue a hospital or doctor for money, Disability Rights Oregon is unable to represent or file a lawsuit for you. You will need to find an attorney. Further information about finding an attorney is included below. Please note that this list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and DRO cannot guarantee that any entity will take or investigate your complaint.
Please note, this information is not legal advice and is provided only as a public service. If you need legal advice, you should contact an attorney. You do not have an attorney-client relationship with DRO.
DRO cannot guarantee that any individual or organization included in this material will represent or assist you. DRO also cannot guarantee the quality of this individual’s or organization’s representation. There are also certain time limits or deadlines to file complaints, file lawsuits, or to take legal action. If you fail to act within these time frames, you may lose your right to do so. Please check with a lawyer to find out the specific timeframes and requirements for filing these claims.
Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) Members
If you have Oregon Health Plan (OHP) health insurance, the Oregon Health Authority has a team of staff who advocate for OHP members. These staff are called OHP Ombudspersons. The goal of the Ombuds team is to make sure OHP members get quality health care.
Contact the Ombuds Program if you have a concern about the services you get from OHP.
You can find more information at on the Oregon Health Authority’s Ombuds Program web page. You can also leave a phone message at 1 (877) 642-0450 or email them at OHA.OmbudsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Hospital or Facility
If you feel you were mistreated by a hospital or medical facility and want to file a complaint, there are several ways you can do so.
HOSPITAL/FACILITY
First, you should check with the hospital or facility about its internal grievance process. You can call the facility and tell them that you want to file a complaint about your experience. They should then explain to you their process.
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY
Most hospitals and medical facilities in Oregon are licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. For more information about filing a complaint, call (971) 673-0540. Or, you can find more information and file your complaint directly online on the Oregon Health Authority’s File a Complaint or Request Records web page.
ACCREDITATION BODY
Most hospitals are accredited by an independent company, and you can file a complaint with that company. There are many different companies that offer accreditation, so you must check with the specific hospital. Some examples include:
Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) is accredited by DNV Healthcare. Use the DNV Healthcare Complaint Report web page to file a complaint.
Legacy, Providence, and Cedar Hills are accredited by The Joint Commission. Select “Patient Safety Complaint” on The Joint Commission’s Contact Us web page to file a complaint.
For all other hospitals, please check with the facility.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
You may also try filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR investigates some complaints about discrimination by healthcare providers due to an individual’s disability. You can call the office at 1 (800) 368-1019 or email OCRMail@hhs.gov for more information. Or, you can find more information and file your complaint directly online on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Filing a Civil Rights Complaint web page.
Doctor or Mental Health Provider
DOCTOR/PSYCHIATRIST
If you feel you were mistreated by a medical doctor, such as a psychiatrist, you can file a complaint about an individual doctor with the Oregon Medical Board on the State of Oregon’s How to File a Complaint web page, or call (971) 673-2702 for more information.
PSYCHOLOGIST
If you feel you were mistreated by another mental healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or psychologist associate, you can file a complaint with the Oregon Board of Psychology on the State of Oregon’s File a Complaint web page, or call (503) 378-4154 for more information.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you want to sue a hospital or doctor for money, Disability Rights Oregon is unable to represent or file a lawsuit for you. You will need to find an attorney.
OREGON STATE BAR LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
The Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service may assist you in finding a lawyer. Although it does not provide information for free or pro bono attorneys, it may be worth asking about attorneys who will take your case on a contingent fee basis. Contingent fee is an arrangement where the attorney will not receive a fee unless they recover money for you in your suit. However, there are expenses that you will be responsible for regardless. This is something to discuss with the attorney.
You can call the service at 503-684-3763 and find more information on the Oregon State Bar website.
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NOTICE: This document is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Federal and state law can change at any time. You may wish to contact Disability Rights Oregon or consult with an attorney in your community if you require further information.
