Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

“Ombudsman” is a Swedish word that means “citizen representative.” The primary duty of an Ombudsman is protecting the rights of individuals by doing inquiries and resolving problems and grievances, providing information, and working with institutions, organizations and agencies to increase their responsiveness to the people they serve,.

An Ombudsman acts on behalf of persons who need assistance in advocating their own cause. A Long-Term Care Ombudsman serves the recipients of long-term care services. These services include nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, residential facilities, assisted living facilities, boarding homes, hospice, and recipients of home health programs.

Recipients of long-term care facilities sometimes have little or no contact with the outside world and some may feel they lack control over their own lives. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman serves as a recipient advocate and assists in the resolution of problems and concerns. The goal of the Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of life for long-term care recipients.

 

Receives, does inquiries and attempts to resolve problems or complaints affecting recipients of long-term care facilities.

Answers questions and provides information and referral about long-term care and related services.

Promotes community education and awareness of the needs of long-term care recipients.

Coordinates efforts with other agencies and organizations concerned with long-term care.

Identifies issues and problem areas in long-term care and recommends needed changes.

 

Problems related to the rights of recipients of long-term care services as citizens and as recipients.

Concerns about the care or treatment provided in long-term care services such as admissions, health services, drugs, food, recipient funds and transfer or discharge.

Problems with cost (billing and charges) or Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

 

Recipients or potential recipients of long-term care services (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, board and care homes, home care, and hospice).

Relatives or friends of long-term care recipients.

Long-term care employees and administrators.

Members of community groups or citizens interested in improving long-term care.

 

EMBER LUCAS
Regional Ombudsman

106 West Adams Avenue

P.O. Box BD

Riverton, WY 82501

307-856-6880

800-856-4398

Email: ember.lucas@wyo.gov

KARI MEYERS
Regional Ombudsman

951 Werner Court, Suite 295

Casper, WY 82601

307-235-5959

877-634-1006
Email: kari.meyers@wyo.gov

VISIT: www.medicare.gov