Department of Health and Human Services phone, agencies, Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, grants, FOIA and official HHS help
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, usually called HHS, is the federal department connected to Medicare, Medicaid oversight, HealthCare.gov, HIPAA and civil rights complaints, public health agencies, food and drug safety, medical research, grants, children and families, aging, disability resources and behavioral health support.
HHS is not one local clinic or one benefits counter. The right official path depends on whether you need Medicare, Marketplace coverage, a HIPAA complaint, HHS fraud reporting, a FOIA request, SAMHSA treatment referral, CDC/FDA/NIH information, or your state/local health department.
Choose what you need from HHS or a related federal health agency
Select your issue below. This tool does not submit forms or access your case, but it points you to the safest official starting place.
Use HHS general contact for department-wide routing. HHS lists its headquarters at 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 and toll-free call center at 1-877-696-6775.
Department of Health and Human Services phone number and correct official path
The main HHS toll-free call center is 1-877-696-6775. HHS headquarters is the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
That number is only the starting point for general HHS routing. Medicare uses 1-800-MEDICARE. HealthCare.gov uses 1-800-318-2596. HIPAA and civil rights complaints use the HHS Office for Civil Rights complaint portal. HHS fraud reports use the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline. Mental health and substance-use treatment referrals can use SAMHSA at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The safest path is simple: identify the exact issue, use the correct official .gov agency page, and avoid paying private “benefit,” “grant,” “Medicare help,” or “application” websites before checking official sources.
Official verification before using this HHS guide
Updated for publication on June 26, 2026.
This refreshed article uses official federal sources including HHS.gov, HHS contact pages, HHS agencies and offices, Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, HHS Office for Civil Rights, HHS Office of Inspector General, SAMHSA, Grants.gov/HHS grants resources, HHS FOIA, FDA and NIH.
Federal pages, hotlines, forms, grant notices, complaint portals, leadership, policy pages, data tools and application windows can change. Always verify the live official .gov page before applying, filing, reporting fraud, submitting personal documents or relying on a deadline.
What this Department of Health and Human Services guide covers
Department of Health and Human Services phone number directory by need
HHS has one main phone number, but most high-intent searches need a specific agency, hotline or portal. Use the direct route below before calling the general number.
| Need | Official phone or route | Best use | Prepare before contacting |
|---|---|---|---|
| General HHS contact | 1-877-696-6775 | General HHS routing, headquarters contact and department-wide questions. | Exact issue, program name, agency name if known, and callback details. |
| Medicare | 1-800-MEDICARE 1-800-633-4227 | Medicare coverage, claims, plans, enrollment, cards and account help. | Medicare card, plan name, claim details, dates and provider information. |
| HealthCare.gov Marketplace | 1-800-318-2596 TTY: 1-855-889-4325 | Marketplace applications, account login, document uploads, plan comparison and enrollment help. | Application ID, household information, income estimate, notices and document questions. |
| HHS Office for Civil Rights | OCR complaint portal and HHS OCR complaint pages | HIPAA privacy, security, breach, civil rights, disability access, language access and discrimination complaints. | Provider or organization name, dates, what happened, records involved and written response if any. |
| HHS-OIG fraud reporting | 1-800-HHS-TIPS 1-800-447-8477 | Fraud, waste or abuse involving HHS programs, Medicare, Medicaid, grants, contractors or whistleblower tips. | Who, what, when, where, how, documents, billing details, names and contact information. |
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-HELP 1-800-662-4357 TTY: 1-800-487-4889 | Mental health or substance-use treatment referral and information in English and Spanish. | ZIP code, insurance status if comfortable, type of help needed and urgency level. |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | Suicide crisis, emotional distress, mental health crisis or urgent crisis support. | Location, safety risk and whether there is immediate danger. |
| FDA product issue | 1-888-INFO-FDA 1-888-463-6332 | Food, drug, medical device, cosmetic, tobacco, vaccine or product problem reporting. | Product name, lot number, dates, symptoms, photos, packaging and purchase location. |
| NIH research information | 301-496-4000 TTY: 301-402-9612 | NIH general questions, research information and NIH contact routing. | Research topic, institute if known, clinical trial question or grant question. |
| FOIA request | HHS FOIA portal and FOIARequest@hhs.gov | Requesting federal agency records maintained by HHS or a division. | Agency, date range, document type, subject, names and preferred format. |
HHS vs state health department vs local health department
Many users search “Department of Health and Human Services” when they actually need a county health department, state vital records office, Medicaid case office, local WIC office, restaurant inspection office, birth certificate office or community clinic.
HHS is federal. It handles national programs, agencies, federal rules, grants, research, Medicare, federal civil rights, HIPAA privacy enforcement, public health agencies and oversight. State and local health departments usually handle in-person local services.
For a practical local-office search path, use our health department near me guide. For certificates, use our birth certificate through health department guide.
HHS agencies and offices: which division should you use?
HHS includes multiple operating divisions and offices. The fastest answer usually comes from the agency that owns your issue, not the general HHS call center.
HHS help for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and CMS questions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the HHS agency connected to Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace oversight. But the best user path depends on whether the issue is federal Medicare, state Medicaid, CHIP, provider policy or a health plan problem.
| Issue | Best official route | Use it for | Do not confuse with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare card, coverage or claims | Medicare.gov / 1-800-MEDICARE | Medicare cards, coverage questions, plan comparison, claims, Part A/B/C/D and account help. | Marketplace coverage or employer insurance. |
| Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | Medicare.gov and the plan’s member services | Plan details, prescription formulary, provider network and appeals information. | The main HHS call center. |
| Medicaid application or renewal | Your state Medicaid agency | Eligibility, renewals, notices, address changes, Medicaid cards and state managed care. | Federal CMS policy pages. |
| CHIP for children | Your state CHIP or Medicaid agency | Children’s coverage eligibility, applications, renewals and state plan details. | Medicare. |
| CMS policy or provider data | CMS.gov | Federal program policy, quality data, regulations, provider information and technical guidance. | Personal claims service from a provider or insurer. |
HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage, enrollment and phone help
HealthCare.gov is the official Marketplace route for many users shopping for Affordable Care Act coverage. The official contact page lists 1-800-318-2596 and TTY 1-855-889-4325. It also provides local help options and document upload instructions.
Before you call Marketplace support
- Have your Marketplace username or application ID if you have one.
- Prepare household members, income estimate, address and immigration/citizenship documents if relevant.
- Know whether your issue is account login, document upload, income update, special enrollment or plan billing.
- Do not email documents to HealthCare.gov; use the official upload route when instructed.
HIPAA complaint, health privacy complaint and HHS civil rights help
The HHS Office for Civil Rights handles many complaints involving health information privacy, HIPAA, civil rights, disability access, language access, nondiscrimination, conscience rights and certain complaints involving health care or social service programs.
Use OCR when the issue involves a covered provider, health plan, clearinghouse, business associate, HHS-funded health/social service program or discrimination in covered health services. Use a provider’s medical-record office first when the issue is a simple copy request or correction request.
Identify the organization
Write the provider, hospital, insurer, health plan, agency, pharmacy or business associate name.
Write the facts
Include dates, what happened, what records were involved, what you requested and any written response.
Choose privacy or civil rights
HIPAA privacy/security complaints are different from civil rights, disability access or discrimination complaints.
Use the official portal
Submit through the OCR Complaint Portal or official HHS OCR route. Do not upload unnecessary sensitive information.
Report HHS fraud, Medicare fraud, grant scams and spoofed government calls
The HHS Office of Inspector General accepts complaints involving fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid and other HHS programs. OIG also accepts certain whistleblower complaints from HHS employees, grantees and contractors.
Use OIG for suspected HHS program fraud. Do not use OIG as the only route for personal billing disputes, refunds, individual benefit denials or private civil grievances unless the issue also involves suspected HHS program fraud.
SAMHSA mental health, substance use and treatment referral help
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing mental or substance-use disorders.
Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY 1-800-487-4889. Users can also visit FindTreatment.gov or text a 5-digit ZIP code to 435748 for HELP4U treatment referral support.
HHS grants, contracts, funding opportunities and grant scam warnings
HHS is a major federal grant-making department, but HHS grants are not the same as social-media “free money” messages. Official opportunities are generally listed through Grants.gov, NIH grants, SAM.gov, agency-specific funding pages or official HHS grants resources.
| Need | Official route | Important warning |
|---|---|---|
| Search federal grant opportunities | Grants.gov and HHS agency funding pages | Many grants are for organizations, tribes, states, universities, health centers or nonprofits, not personal bills. |
| NIH research funding | NIH grants pages and Grants.gov | Follow official NIH instructions and deadlines. Do not rely on paid middleman promises. |
| Federal contracting | SAM.gov and HHS contract resources | Contracts are different from grants and require official registration and solicitation response. |
| Grant scam concern | HHS-OIG fraud reporting | Do not pay gift cards, wire money or send bank details to “unlock” a fake HHS grant. |
HHS FOIA, public records, reports and official documents
FOIA is the federal process for requesting federal agency records. It is useful for specific HHS records not already published online. It is not the right route for every private medical record, hospital chart, insurer document or local health department record.
Search public pages first
Budgets, reports, grants, press releases, rules, dashboards and FOIA libraries may already contain the record.
Identify the HHS office
Say whether the records are likely held by HHS, CMS, CDC, FDA, NIH, OCR, OIG or another division.
Use a narrow request
Include date range, subject, office, document type, names if relevant and preferred electronic format.
Do not use FOIA for private records first
Private medical records usually start with your provider, hospital, clinic or insurer records office.
CDC, FDA and NIH: high-search HHS agency help
Many users search HHS when they actually need CDC, FDA or NIH. These agencies are connected to HHS, but each has its own official website and action path.
Which agency should you choose?
| User search | Best official route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Disease outbreak, vaccine schedule, travel health | CDC | CDC is the national public health guidance and disease-prevention agency. |
| Drug recall, food safety, device problem, product report | FDA | FDA regulates and monitors many foods, drugs, devices, biologics, cosmetics and tobacco products. |
| Clinical trial, research study, health research article | NIH / ClinicalTrials.gov / MedlinePlus | NIH is the federal biomedical research agency and provides research-oriented health resources. |
Children, families, aging and disability services under HHS
HHS also includes human services agencies. Many users searching HHS need child care, Head Start, child support, child welfare, refugee services, aging resources, disability services or caregiver support. These programs often involve state, tribal, local or community partners.
What HHS may not be the right agency for
HHS is broad, but many high-search problems belong to another office. Checking this first can save time.
HHS headquarters map and visiting caution
This map points to HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Most users do not need to visit headquarters. Use the correct agency, hotline, online portal or state/local office before making travel plans.
Official HHS links and federal health resources
Use these official pages before relying on ads, lead forms, paid “benefit help,” social media grant claims or unofficial phone directories.
HHS.gov official websiteMain federal Department of Health & Human Services website. HHS contact pageHeadquarters address, toll-free call center and department-wide contact lists. HHS agencies and officesOfficial list of HHS operating divisions and offices. Medicare.govOfficial Medicare coverage, account, claims and plan information. HealthCare.gov contact pageMarketplace phone, TTY, local help and document-upload guidance. HHS Office for Civil Rights complaintsHIPAA, privacy, civil rights, disability access and nondiscrimination complaint route. HHS-OIG fraud reportingOfficial fraud, waste and abuse reporting route for HHS programs. SAMHSA National HelplineFree confidential treatment referral and information service. HHS grants and contractsOfficial grants, contracts, small business and funding route. HHS FOIAOfficial HHS Freedom of Information Act request and FOIA contact route. Contact FDAReport FDA-regulated product problems and contact FDA offices. Contact NIHNIH address, phone, research and general contact routing.Department of Health and Human Services FAQ
What is the Department of Health and Human Services phone number?
The main HHS toll-free call center is 1-877-696-6775. Use it for general HHS routing, but use specific agencies for Medicare, Marketplace coverage, HIPAA complaints, fraud reports, grants, FOIA and treatment referral.
Where is HHS headquarters?
HHS headquarters is the Hubert H. Humphrey Building at 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Is HHS the same as a local health department?
No. HHS is a federal department. Local health departments usually handle county clinics, WIC appointments, local vaccines, food inspections, septic permits and local public-health notices.
What phone number do I call for Medicare?
Use 1-800-MEDICARE, also written as 1-800-633-4227, for Medicare coverage, claims, cards, plans and account help.
What phone number do I call for HealthCare.gov Marketplace help?
HealthCare.gov lists 1-800-318-2596 and TTY 1-855-889-4325 for Marketplace help.
Where do I file a HIPAA complaint?
Use the HHS Office for Civil Rights complaint page or the OCR Complaint Portal for HIPAA privacy, security, breach, civil rights or discrimination complaints.
How do I report HHS fraud or Medicare fraud?
Use the HHS Office of Inspector General fraud reporting page. If the online complaint system is unavailable, OIG lists 1-800-HHS-TIPS and 1-800-447-8477.
What is SAMHSA’s National Helpline number?
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP, also written as 1-800-662-4357. It is a free, confidential treatment referral and information service. For crisis support, call or text 988.
Does HHS give personal grants directly to individuals?
Be careful. Official federal grants are generally listed through Grants.gov or agency pages and are often for organizations, states, tribes, universities, health centers or nonprofits. Messages demanding fees, gift cards or bank details for “HHS grant money” are suspicious.
Can I get a birth certificate from HHS?
Usually no. Birth certificates are normally handled by the state or local vital records office where the birth occurred. Use your state or local vital records office rather than the federal HHS call center.