If you want to file a complaint against a hospital in Vermont, there are a few ways to do it.
1. File an Internal Complaint
Every Vermont hospital has an internal complaint process. To file an internal complaint with a hospital:
- visit the hospital’s website to read its complaint process, or
- call the hospital to ask about its complaint process, or
- let a hospital staff member know that you want to make a complaint
Each hospital’s website also includes information about the hospital’s board of directors and other leadership.
2. File a Complaint with the Division of Licensing and Protection
To file a complaint against a hospital, you can also contact the Vermont Division of Licensing and Protection. The Division of Licensing and Protection oversees health care facilities to make sure they follow the law.
Visit the Division of Licensing and Protection website to get the complaint form. It’s a Word document called a Survey and Certification Reporting Form. You will also find more information about what to include in your complaint.
You can also make a complaint by email, fax, phone or mail:
Email: AHS.DAILSCIntake@vermont.gov
Fax: 802-241-0383
Phone: 1-888-700-5330 (toll-free)
Mail:
Survey & Certification Complaint Intake
Division of Licensing and Protection
HC 2 SOUTH
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-2060
3. File a Complaint with the Joint Commission
You can file a hospital complaint about patient safety and other issues related to accreditation with the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is a national organization that accredits hospitals.
Visit the Joint Commission website to get the online complaint form and more information about what to include in your complaint.
To find out if a hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, look at the Division of Licensing and Protection’s Hospital Directory. Hospitals with Joint Commission accreditation are labeled “JCAHO Accredited.”
You can also make a complaint by fax or mail:
Fax: 630-792-5636
Mail:
Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Other Resources
Attorney General’s Office Consumer Assistance Program
The Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at UVM helps Vermonters solve problems with businesses, protect themselves from fraud and access services.
Phone: 800-649-2424 or 802-656-3183
Green Mountain Care Board
The Green Mountain Care Board sets each hospital’s budget on an annual basis. The budget review process includes opportunities for written and verbal public comment. Visit the Board’s Hospital Budget Review web page for more information.
Phone: 802-828-2177
Email: GMCB.Board@state.vt.us
Mail:
Green Mountain Care Board
144 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05620
