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Abuse, neglect and exploitation

You should report any incident that could potentially put a member or a member’s services at risk. If you, or one of your staff members, witness, are informed of, or suspect an incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you need to report it immediately. Reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation is mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Examples of abuse, neglect and exploitation

Abuse is when someone hurts you. Abuse can be mental, physical or sexual. It can also happen when someone tries to make you pay for services that you don’t need. 

  
Neglect is when someone fails to get you the care and attention you need. This includes food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

  
Exploitation is when someone mishandles or withholds your money or services. 

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Ways to report critical incidents


You can report an instance of abuse, neglect or exploitation by calling:

 

 

Adult Protective Services

 

You can report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a member who is 60 or older or a member with disabilities who is 18 or up to 59 by calling Illinois Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409.

The Illinois Office of the Inspector General

 

You can report suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or death of members with a disability by calling the Illinois Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-368-1463.

Nurse Facility Complaint Hotline


You can report suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of members living in nursing facilities by calling the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Nurse Facility Complaint Hotline at 1-800-252-4343.

Skilled Living Facilities Complaint Hotline


You can report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of members living in skilled living facilities by calling the Illinois Skilled Living Facility Complaint Hotline at 
1-800-226-0768.

24-hour Child Abuse Hotline


According to the Illinois.gov website, "Call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117) if you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first." 

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