Complaints

Q:  How do I file a complaint against health care professionals, facilities or health maintenance organizations (HMOs)?

A:  Call 1-888-419-3456 from the Consumer Complaint, Publication and Information Call Center for the following: 

• for health care facility or home health agency quality of care or billing concerns
• health care practitioner licensure status or complaints
• HMO complaints
• Medicaid fraud and abuse

The Consumer's Guide to the Complaint Process will explain the process in detail, answer questions, and will allow you to download a complaint form from the Agency of Health Care Administration.

Q:  How do I file a complaint against a restaurant, hotel, or grocery store?

A:  File the complaint online with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Hotels and Restaurants with the information.
 

Q:  Do you think you have food poisoning? How do I report a food and/or water related illness? "It was something I ate." "That food tasted funny." "It must have been the 24 hour stomach flu."

A:  If you suspect that you and/or a family member became ill from eating and/or drinking possible contaminated food or water in Broward County and would like to report a possible case(s) or outbreak, please contact Ryan Lowe at 954-467-4841. Contact a physician for any questions regarding symptoms and/or treatment.  Check the Food and Waterborne Disease Program for additional information.

Q:  How do I file a local public nuisance complaint?

A:  File the complaint online with our Environmental Health section.
 

Q:  I have a complaint, but I am not sure what establishments the Health Department regulate?

A:  The Environmental Health section regulate public pools as well as these establishments:
 

Restaurants are not regulated by the Health Department.  They are regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
 

Elder Affairs

Q:  How do I report elder abuse?

A:  To report abuse in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family care home or the operation of an unlicensed long-term care facility:

• call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council near you at 1-888-831-0404 to inspect abuse in these establishments.
• call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
• read the information packet on Reporting Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults and complete the complaint form.

Q:  Where can I find information and assistance for persons 60 years of age and older?

A:  Visit the Department for Elder Affairs or call 1-800-963-5337-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for more information
 

Q:  Where can I find information about retiring/relocating to Florida?

A:  Visit information on retiring/relocating from the Department for Elder Affairs or call 1-800-963-5337-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for more information

Florida Health Certification

Q:  How do I get certified in Florida's Health Industry?

A:  Visit the correct site for the corresponding certification:

• Medical Professions Certification
• Emergency Medical Professions Certification
• Environmental Health Certification

Frequently asked questions for Health Professional Licensure

Health Information

Q:  Where can I easily find information about Florida's Health Industry?

A:  FloridaHealthStat is your resource for comprehensive consumer healthcare information from Florida government health and human service agencies.  You can also find health information from the following agencies:

• Department of Health
• Health and Human Services

Physicians and Practitioners

Q:  How do I find out information about a physician (such as education, training, certification, publications, spoken languages, licensures, and liabilities)?

A:  You can find information on any Nurse Practitioners, Medical Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, Podiatric Physicians and Chiropractic Physicians at Practitioner Profiling from Florida's Department of Health Web Site.
 

Q:  How do I find out information about a physician's license (such as if it is active for practicing, if it is clear of disciplinary actions, or when it expires)?

A:  You can find information on licenses for any health care professions and establishments regulated by the Medical Quality Assurance Division at Health Licensee and Continuing Education Providers from Florida's Department of Health Web Site.

Statistics

Q:  Where can I find Health Statistics for Florida?

A:  You can find Public Health Statistics from the Florida Department of Health.

• You can also find statistics on the Elder population (60+ years)