Long Term Care Ombudsman in Wyoming: Free Advocacy for Residents

When a nursing home suddenly changes your parent's medication schedule without explanation, or an assisted living facility threatens discharge because your family raised concerns about staffing, you need an advocate who works exclusively for the resident — not the facility, not the state. That is what Wyoming's Long Term Care Ombudsman program provides, and every service is free and confidential.

What the Ombudsman Actually Does

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is an independent advocacy service for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen investigate complaints, mediate disputes between residents and facilities, and help protect resident rights under both state and federal law.

Critically, the ombudsman works on the resident's terms. They do not report to the facility. They do not share information with the state licensing agency unless the resident or their legal representative explicitly authorizes it. This confidentiality is what makes families comfortable raising concerns they might otherwise stay silent about — fear of retaliation against a vulnerable parent is real.

Common situations where the ombudsman intervenes include:

• Involuntary discharge or room transfers without proper notice
• Medication errors or unexplained changes to a care plan
• Dignity violations — residents being left in soiled clothing, denied privacy, or spoken to disrespectfully
• Billing disputes or unauthorized charges
• Restrictions on visitor access or resident rights
• Suspected neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation

Wyoming's Regional Ombudsman Contacts

Wyoming's ombudsman network is administered through the Department of Health and contracted with Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc. (WSCI). The state is divided into three regions:

State Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Patricia Hall Phone: (307) 287-7757 or (307) 777-2885 Email: [email protected] Coverage: Statewide oversight and administration, based in Cheyenne

Regional Ombudsman — Ember Lucas Phone: (307) 856-6880 or (800) 456-4398 Email: [email protected] Coverage: Big Horn, Washakie, Park, Hot Springs, Teton, Fremont, Sublette, Lincoln, Uinta

Regional Ombudsman — Corycia Kassim Phone: (307) 235-5959 or (877) 634-1006 Email: [email protected] Coverage: Sheridan, Johnson, Natrona, Campbell, Converse

Regional Ombudsman — Nicholas Wiseman Phone: (307) 634-1010 or (877) 634-1005 Email: [email protected] Coverage: Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen, Platte, Laramie, Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater

Start with the regional representative covering your parent's county. For urgent situations involving immediate safety, call the state ombudsman directly.

Ombudsman vs HLS: Two Different Complaint Channels

Families often confuse the ombudsman with the Office of Healthcare Licensing and Surveys (HLS). They serve different functions:

The ombudsman is a resident advocate. They mediate, negotiate, and work to resolve problems directly with the facility on the resident's behalf. Their goal is a practical resolution — better care, restored rights, a fair discharge process.

HLS is the regulatory enforcer. They license facilities, conduct inspections, and investigate violations of health and safety standards. When HLS finds a deficient practice, they require the facility to submit a formal Plan of Correction. HLS complaints can be filed by phone at (307) 777-7123, by fax at (307) 777-7127, or by mail. Never submit complaints by email — HLS considers email insecure for protected health information.

For nursing home abuse or neglect, contact both. The ombudsman will advocate immediately for your parent's safety, while HLS will investigate the regulatory violation and enforce corrective action. Immediate jeopardy complaints — situations where residents face imminent danger — trigger an unannounced HLS inspection within two working days.

How to Prepare Before Calling

Before contacting the ombudsman, gather what you can:

• Your parent's full name and the facility name and location
• Specific dates and descriptions of the incidents
• Names of staff involved, if known
• Any written notices from the facility (discharge notices, care plan changes)
• Your legal authority to act — if you hold a Durable Power of Attorney or Healthcare Power of Attorney, have a copy ready

The ombudsman can still help even if you do not have all these details. The initial call is a conversation, not a formal filing.

For families navigating facility quality concerns alongside the broader care transition — from comparing care settings to understanding Medicaid eligibility and legal authority — the Choosing Care in Wyoming guide provides a structured, step-by-step framework for the entire process.

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