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Report Abuse and Fraud

Child Abuse

If you suspect a child under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected:
  • If you believe the child is in imminent danger, CALL 911 immediately.
     
  • Call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-362-2178, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Please be ready to provide identifying information and the whereabouts of the child.
    • You may remain anonymous unless you are making a report as a mandatory reporter. If you are making report as a mandatory reporter, you must leave your name and contact information.

Download a PDF of the Guide for Mandatory Reporters (or download the Spanish Guide for Mandatory Reporters).

Child Abuse page. 

Update: See important new information on Mandatory Reporter Training.

Dependent Adult Abuse

Call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-362-2178, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information visit the Dependent Adult Abuse page.

Keep Your SNAP Benefits Safe!

  • Avoid simple PINs. Number combinations such as 1111, 1234 or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.
  • Keep your PIN and card number secret. Don’t share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
  • Beware of phishing. Iowa HHS and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
  • Change your PIN often. Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefit issuance date.
  • Check your EBT account regularly. If you see any purchases you didn’t make, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report suspicious activity to your local SNAP office.
  • Contact your local SNAP office. If you think you are the victim of card skimming and your SNAP benefits were stolen, contact your local SNAP office.

Your SNAP benefits may be replaced if they were stolen by fraud. SNAP benefits stolen due to fraud must be reported within 10 calendar days of the date you discover the theft. Examples of fraud include access to your benefits by fraudulent email, text, phone, or machine, et cetera. It’s not fraud if you give your EBT card to someone to use or if your actual EBT card is stolen.

To Report Member Fraud

Report suspected Medicaid member fraud, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Family Investment Program (FIP) fraud by calling 1-877-347-5678, available Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You may also report suspected fraud to the US Department of Health and Human Services at the Office of Inspector General website.

To Report Provider Fraud

Medicaid fraud occurs when a Medicaid provider knowingly makes, or causes to be made, a false or misleading statement or representation for use in obtaining reimbursement from the medical assistance program. This would include, but is not limited to, billing for services not provided, charging Medicaid more than the reasonable value of the services and providing services that were medically unnecessary. You may report provider fraud, waste or abuse by calling Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, Program Integrity Unit at 1-877-446-3787 (toll-free) or at 515-256-4615 (locally in Des Moines).

Nursing Home and Home Health Complaint Hotline

Report complaints to Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals by calling 1-877-686-0027 or in writing to:
 
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Health Facilities Division/Complaint Unit
Lucas State Office Building
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083

Child Care Complaint Hotline

If you have concerns regarding a specific child care provider or child care business that is not meeting Iowa regulations, please contact the Iowa Child Care Complaint Hotline at 844-786-1296.