Iowa at a Glance

DIAL’s Health Facilities Division licenses, inspects, and certifies Iowa nursing facilities and investigates complaints.

• Licenses and inspects Iowa health care facilities
• Runs the complaint intake line: 1-877-686-0027
• Facility licensing law appears in Iowa Code ch. 135C

Visit the state agency site →

Families can speak with a Iowa nursing home lawyer to understand if rights may have been violated.

Iowa resident rights include:

• Right to be treated with dignity and respect
• Right to be fully informed of their rights, condition, and charges
• Right to choose a physician and participate in care planning
• Right to refuse treatment
• Right to privacy and confidential records
• Right to submit complaints and recommendations without restraint, coercion, or reprisal
• Right to be free from abuse, neglect, and improper restraints
• Right not to be arbitrarily moved from room to room — involuntary relocations must be documented
• Right to written notice of any involuntary discharge, with an appeal to an administrative law judge
• Right of access to the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Source: Iowa Code ch. 135C and Iowa Admin. Code (resident rights in health care facilities)

Phone: 1-866-236-1430
Website: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/aging-services/ltc-ombudsman

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Iowa, contact DIAL’s Health Facilities Division.

Families can:

• Call the complaint hotline at 1-877-686-0027, email [email protected], or file online
• Report dependent adult abuse to the state hotline at 1-800-362-2178
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-866-236-1430
• Report suspected crimes to local law enforcement

Include the facility name, resident name, dates, injuries, witnesses, and photos if available.

Full reporting guide →

Families may be able to sue an Iowa nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. Iowa also allows dependent adult abuse claims alongside negligence.

Common claims include:

• Personal injury: The resident was harmed by neglect or abuse.
• Wrongful death: Poor care contributed to the resident’s death.

Iowa has strict legal deadlines, so families should speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t wait — get started right now.

Free case review →

Nursing home settlements and trial verdicts in Iowa can vary depending on the situation. Some cases have resulted in payouts of more than $1 million.

See nursing home settlement amounts in Iowa →