Where can I get help?
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
ACL is a federal agency that provides funding to support programs in your community with the goal of maximizing the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. Visit acl.gov to learn more. Some of the services the ACL offers include:
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
ACL partners with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Veterans Health Administration, and other federal agencies to support every state’s development of “No Wrong Door Systems” that streamline access to long-term services and supports. ADRC’s are part of “No Wrong Door Systems.”
Older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families can use ADRCs to enter the long-term services and supports system. ADRCs help people and their families:
- Identify their long-term services and support needs
- Understand their options, including the publicly funded programs available to them
- Develop and activate a long-term care plan
For information about ADRC’s in your area call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
CILs help people with disabilities find community living options and develop independent living skills. Visit ilru.org/home, or call 1-713-520-0232 for contact information of local services.
Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator helps older adults and their caregivers connect to services, including long-term care services and supports. Visit eldercare.gov, or call 1-800-677-1116.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, and other adult care facilities. They work to resolve residents’ problems and to bring about changes at the local, state, and national levels that will improve residents’ care and quality of life. These duties include:
- Visiting nursing homes and speaking with residents throughout the year to make sure residents’ rights are protected
- Working with you to solve problems with your nursing home care, including financial issues
- Discussing general information with you about nursing homes, resident’s rights, and care
- Answering questions, like how many complaints they’ve gotten about a specific nursing home, what kind of complaints they were, and if the issues were resolved in a timely manner
The ACL supports the National Ombudsman Resource Center, which has contact information for each States’ Long-Term Care Ombudsman. To get the contact information for your local ombudsman program office, use the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.gov or visit ltcombudsman.org.
Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organizations (BFCC-QIOs)
A BFCC-QIO is an organization that uses practicing doctors and other health care experts to check and improve the care given to people with Medicare. Your BFCC-QIO can help if you have questions or complaints about the quality of your care for a Medicare-covered service or if you think Medicare coverage for your service is ending too soon. Visit Medicare.gov/contacts, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the phone number for the BFCC-QIO in your state. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS is an agency in the federal government that can give you more information about Medicare and Medicaid coverage, home- and community-based services, and other health-related topics. Visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Nursing Home Compare
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare allows you to find and compare information about nursing homes. Visit Medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare for more information.
Medicaid offices
Medicaid offices are state agencies that are in charge of the state’s Medicaid Program. Your local Medicaid office can give you information about Medicaid eligibility and covered benefits, including coverage for institutional (nursing home) and home- and community-based long-term care services. You can also find this information on your state’s website. To get the phone number for your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Office, visit Medicare.gov/contacts or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
SHIPs are state programs that get money from the federal government to give free, local health insurance counseling. Visit shiptacenter.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get the phone number for the SHIP in your state.
State Survey Agencies
Your State Survey Agency can help you with questions or complaints about the quality of care or the quality of life in a nursing home. State Survey Agencies oversee nursing homes that participate in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. State Survey Agencies inspect health care facilities and investigate complaints to ensure health and safety standards are met. To get the phone number for your State Survey Agency, visit Medicare.gov/contacts.
