Last updated 4 days ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
- General HHS Contact Information
- Quick Reference Contact Directory
- Medicare and Medicaid Questions
- Filing Health Information Privacy (HIPAA) Complaints
- Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse
- Requesting Government Records (FOIA)
- Media and Press Inquiries
- Major HHS Agencies Direct Contact
- Accessibility and Language Assistance
- Understanding Government Structure
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the federal government’s primary agency for protecting public health and providing essential human services. The HHS administers more than 100 programs across 12 operating divisions, making it one of the largest federal departments.
Successfully contacting HHS requires understanding which specific office handles your particular issue. A Medicare question goes to a different division than a health privacy complaint or public health inquiry.
General HHS Contact Information
When you’re uncertain where to begin or have general questions about the department, HHS provides several primary entry points.
HHS Main Call Center
For general inquiries or help identifying the appropriate agency, call the department’s toll-free center:
Phone: 1-877-696-6775
This service is best for broad questions or when you can’t identify the specific agency responsible for your concern through other sections of this guide.
Official Correspondence
For formal letters or when written communication is required:
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Mail to federal offices in Washington, D.C. undergoes security screening, so expect an additional 3-4 days for processing and delivery beyond normal mail times.
Staying Informed
Subscribe to official HHS updates including press releases and policy announcements at the HHS Subscription Center.
Quick Reference Contact Directory
This table provides task-specific phone numbers for the most common HHS inquiries:
| Service | Phone Number | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| HHS General Inquiries | 1-877-696-6775 | General questions or program direction |
| Medicare Hotline | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) | Medicare eligibility, benefits, claims, billing |
| Report Medicare Fraud | 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) | Medicare program fraud reporting |
| Report General Fraud | 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) | Any HHS program fraud, waste, abuse |
| Office for Civil Rights | 1-800-368-1019 | HIPAA privacy complaints, civil rights issues |
| TTY/TDD (OCR) | 1-800-537-7697 | Civil rights line for hearing/speech disabilities |
Medicare and Medicaid Questions
Medicare and Medicaid are distinct programs with different administrative structures, requiring different contact approaches.
Medicare: Federal Program
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. Since it’s federal, there’s a single national contact system.
Primary Contact: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) – Available 24/7 for personal claims, billing, eligibility, and general questions
TTY Line: 1-877-486-2048 for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals
Online Live Chat: Available at medicare.gov/talk-to-someone
Mailing Address:
Medicare Contact Center Operations
PO Box 1270
Lawrence, KS 66044
Medicaid: State-Administered Program
Medicaid provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families, but it’s administered at the state level. Each state establishes its own eligibility standards, benefits, and application processes within federal guidelines.
This state-level administration means federal HHS offices in Washington cannot answer questions about your specific Medicaid case, eligibility, or benefits. Contacting a federal office with a Medicaid question is a common mistake that leads to delays and frustration.
How to Find Your State Medicaid Office: Use the centralized directory at usa.gov/agencies/centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services to find your state’s Medicaid contact information.
Filing Health Information Privacy (HIPAA) Complaints
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule protects medical records and individually identifiable health information. If you believe your health information privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with HHS.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
The Office for Civil Rights investigates HIPAA complaints. Anyone can file a complaint, and HIPAA prohibits retaliation for filing complaints.
How to File Your Complaint
Online (Recommended): Use the OCR Complaint Portal for the fastest processing.
By Email: Send completed complaint forms to [email protected] (note that unencrypted email carries privacy risks).
By Mail:
Centralized Case Management Operations
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
Required Information
Your complaint must include:
- Your complete contact information
- Full details about the organization or person you believe violated your rights
- Clear description of what happened and when
- Timeline (complaints must be filed within 180 days of when you knew about the violation)
- Signed consent allowing OCR to use your information in the investigation
OCR Regional Offices
For certain complaint types, you may need to contact the regional office covering the state where the violation occurred:
| Region | States Covered | Address |
|---|---|---|
| New England | CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT | J.F. Kennedy Federal Building, Room 1875, Boston, MA 02203 |
| Eastern/Caribbean | NJ, NY, PR, VI | Jacob Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3312, New York, NY 10278 |
| Mid-Atlantic | DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV | 801 Market Street, Suite 9300, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3134 |
| Southeast | AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN | Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 16T70, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 |
| Midwest | IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI | 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 240, Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Southwest | AR, LA, NM, OK, TX | 1301 Young Street, Suite 106, Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Rocky Mountain | CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY | 1961 Stout Street, Room 08-148, Denver, CO 80294 |
| Pacific | AK, AS, AZ, CA, CNMI, FSM, GU, HI, ID, MH, NV, OR, PW, WA | 90 7th Street, Suite 4-100, San Francisco, CA 94103 |
Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse
The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigates misuse of taxpayer funds across all HHS programs, from healthcare provider billing fraud to benefit application fraud.
How to Report
OIG Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
Online: Submit detailed reports through the secure form at oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud
By Mail:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General
ATTN: OIG HOTLINE OPERATIONS
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026
Fax: 1-800-223-8164
What to Include in Your Report
Provide as much specific information as possible:
- Who: Name, address, phone number of the person or provider suspected of wrongdoing
- What: Detailed description of suspected fraudulent activity
- When: Dates or time period when activity occurred
- Where: Location where fraud took place
- Program: Specific HHS program involved (Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, SNAP)
- Details: Any other relevant information, witnesses, billing codes, or evidence
You’ll receive a tracking number after submitting your report. The OIG cannot provide status updates on open investigations by law.
Requesting Government Records (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request existing records from federal agencies. However, HHS’s structure means you must send requests to the specific agency that maintains the records you want.
Identifying the Correct Agency
Before submitting a request, determine which HHS component likely has your records:
- Drug approvals or medical device safety: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Infectious disease or public health studies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Medicare or Medicaid policy: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Biomedical research grants: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
FOIA Contacts for Major HHS Agencies
| Agency | Mailing Address | Phone | Email/Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| HHS Office of the Secretary | Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 729H, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201 | 202-690-7453 | [email protected]; Submit requests |
| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | North Building, Room C5-11-06, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244 | 410-786-5353 | Submit requests |
| Food and Drug Administration | 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1035, Rockville, MD 20857 | 301-796-3900 | Contact via mail or phone |
| National Institutes of Health | Building 1, Room 344, 1 Center Drive, MSC 0188, Bethesda, MD 20892-0188 | 301-496-5633 | Contact via mail or phone |
| Centers for Disease Control | Handled by HHS OS (address above) | 202-690-7453 | [email protected] |
| Office of Inspector General | Wilbur J. Cohen Building, Room 5527, 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201 | 202-619-2541 | Contact via mail or phone |
Media and Press Inquiries
Members of the media should contact the appropriate press office for their inquiries.
Main HHS Press Office: (202) 690-6343 for general department or Secretary-related inquiries. Submit requests through the HHS Press Room webpage.
Agency-Specific Press Offices:
- CMS Media Relations: 202-690-6145
- Office of Assistant Secretary for Health: [email protected]
Major HHS Agencies Direct Contact
For those who already know which HHS division they need, here are direct contacts for the largest agencies:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC protects the United States from health, safety, and security threats and responds to disease outbreaks.
General Information: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
Online Contact: cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html
Address: 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH is the nation’s medical research agency and the largest public funder of biomedical research worldwide.
General Information: 301-496-4000
TTY: 1-301-402-9612
Online Contact: Ask NIH form
Address: 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892
NIH comprises 27 separate Institutes and Centers, each with specific focus areas and contact information. For detailed inquiries, consult the NIH Institute and Center Contact Directory.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA ensures safety and efficacy of drugs, medical devices, food supply, cosmetics, and other regulated products.
General Information: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
Drug Inquiries: [email protected]
Emergency Reporting: 1-866-300-4374 for life-threatening emergencies involving FDA-regulated products
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS administers Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Health Insurance Marketplace.
Medicare Questions: Use 1-800-MEDICARE (detailed above)
Medicaid Questions: Contact your state Medicaid agency
CMS Headquarters: 877-267-2323
Address: 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244
Accessibility and Language Assistance
HHS ensures its programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency.
TTY/TDD Numbers
For deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-disabled individuals:
- HHS Office for Civil Rights: 1-800-537-7697
- HHS Office of Inspector General: 1-800-377-4950
- CDC: 1-888-232-6348
- NIH: 1-301-402-9612
- Medicare: 1-877-486-2048
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
Dial 711 from any phone to connect with a Communications Assistant who can facilitate calls between TTY users and hearing persons. This service allows you to contact any office listed in this guide, even those without dedicated TTY numbers.
Language Assistance
HHS provides free language assistance services. State your preferred language at the beginning of any call, and an interpreter will be provided.
Understanding Government Structure
Successfully navigating health and human services requires understanding the division of responsibilities between federal, state, and local governments.
Federal vs. State Responsibilities
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the federal agency headquartered in Washington, D.C., responsible for national health policy, research, and direct administration of federal programs like Medicare.
However, many programs citizens interact with daily are administered by state agencies operating under federal guidelines with federal funding. Medicaid and the Child Care and Development Fund are prominent examples.
For state-administered programs, your most effective contact will be your state or local agency, not federal headquarters. Contacting federal offices first typically results in redirection to state offices.
HHS Regional Offices
HHS maintains ten regional offices to coordinate with state, local, and tribal partners. These offices serve as the department’s regional representatives and key contact points for state officials and organizations working with HHS.
State and Local Health Departments
For many common health concerns – vaccination clinics, restaurant inspections, community wellness programs, local health ordinances – contact your state or local public health department rather than federal agencies. These agencies handle front-line public health services in communities.
A comprehensive directory of state and territorial public health departments is available through USA.gov for finding the right local contact.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.