Department of Health and Human Services Phone, Programs, Agencies, Benefits & Official HHS Help
This practical guide explains how to contact the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), which HHS office or agency to use, when to call the main HHS phone number, and where to get official help for Medicare, HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage, HIPAA complaints, civil rights, grants, public records, health fraud, behavioral health, research, food and drug safety, children and families, aging services, and disability support.
HHS is not one local clinic, one insurance office, or one benefits counter. It is a large federal department with many agencies, offices, and programs, so the correct path depends on your exact issue.
This finder points you to the correct official starting place. It does not replace HHS, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, OCR, OIG, SAMHSA, CDC, FDA, NIH, CMS, HRSA, ACF, ACL, IHS, or any other federal office. It simply helps you avoid the most common mistake: contacting the wrong HHS program.
For general U.S. Department of Health & Human Services questions, start with the official HHS contact page or call the HHS toll-free call center at 1-877-696-6775. If your issue is Medicare, Marketplace coverage, HIPAA, fraud, grants, CDC guidance, FDA safety, or mental health support, use the specific official program listed below instead of relying only on the main HHS phone.
Department of Health and Human Services phone number and official contact path
The main U.S. Department of Health & Human Services toll-free call center number is 1-877-696-6775. The HHS headquarters mailing address is the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
That main phone number is useful for general HHS routing, but many high-search HHS needs have separate official systems. Medicare uses Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE. Marketplace health insurance uses HealthCare.gov and 1-800-318-2596. HIPAA and civil rights complaints go through the HHS Office for Civil Rights. HHS fraud reports go through the HHS Office of Inspector General. Mental health and substance use treatment referrals can use SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The safest path is to identify your issue first, then use the official HHS office, agency, hotline, or portal built for that issue. Do not pay a private directory, “benefit application” website, or grant-help site before checking the official .gov page.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services fast facts for 2026
Official verification for this HHS guide
Publish-ready as of: May 8, 2026.
This article was prepared using official federal resources, including HHS.gov, the official HHS contact page, HHS divisions pages, HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, HHS Office for Civil Rights, HHS Office of Inspector General, SAMHSA, Grants.gov, CDC.gov, FDA.gov, NIH.gov, CMS.gov, HRSA.gov, ACF.gov, ACL.gov, IHS.gov, AHRQ.gov, and FOIA/Public Records guidance.
Federal pages, leadership, program names, operating structures, hotline routing, funding notices, eligibility rules, deadlines, and public health guidance can change. Always verify the official .gov page before applying, filing, reporting fraud, submitting a complaint, relying on a deadline, or sharing sensitive information.
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 toll-free call center, but many services use specialized phone numbers or portals. Calling the wrong number can waste time, especially for Medicare, Marketplace coverage, HIPAA, civil rights, grants, public records, fraud reporting, medical research, drug safety, or behavioral health support.
Best call strategy before contacting HHS
Write down your exact issue, agency name if known, program name, case number, complaint number, application ID, Medicare number if appropriate, Marketplace application details, grant opportunity number, or FOIA tracking number. A specific request is easier to route than “I need HHS help.”
HHS vs state health department vs local health department
A common search mistake is confusing the federal Department of Health and Human Services with a state department of health or a county health department. HHS is a federal department. State and local health departments usually handle local clinics, birth certificates at the local level, county immunization clinics, restaurant inspections, county disease updates, local environmental health permits, and many in-person services.
Use HHS for federal health and human services programs, federal public health agencies, Medicare and Marketplace routing, federal civil rights complaints, HIPAA privacy complaints, HHS grants, federal health research, national public health guidance, and HHS program fraud reporting. Use your state or county health department for most local office visits and local clinic questions.
HHS agencies and offices: which division should you use?
HHS is made up of multiple agencies, offices, and divisions. Some focus on public health, some regulate products, some manage health coverage programs, some fund research, and some handle civil rights, grants, data, or human services.
What the Department of Health and Human Services handles
HHS is responsible for a wide range of public health, health care, and human services programs. The department is not only about hospitals or insurance. It also touches public health guidance, medical research, health privacy, civil rights, Medicare, Medicaid, child and family programs, aging services, health workforce, food and drug safety, emergency preparedness, and federal grant funding.
What HHS may not be the right agency for
HHS is broad, but it is not the correct office for every health, benefit, hospital, insurance, or local service issue. If your issue is local, state-specific, employer-specific, or provider-specific, another office may be faster.
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 program oversight. If your issue is about Medicare benefits, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage, Medicare claims, Medicare cards, enrollment, or plan information, start with Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
For Medicaid and CHIP, the federal CMS pages explain program rules, but enrollment and eligibility often depend on your state. If you are applying for Medicaid, changing Medicaid information, renewing Medicaid, or checking a state Medicaid card, your state Medicaid agency may be the direct office.
Medicare fraud warning
Do not give Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, banking details, or personal identity documents to callers who pressure you. Use Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or the HHS-OIG fraud hotline if you suspect questionable Medicare charges or medical identity theft.
HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage, enrollment and phone help
Marketplace coverage is handled through HealthCare.gov, not by a random insurance lead form. HealthCare.gov lists 1-800-318-2596 for Marketplace help and TTY 1-855-889-4325. It also provides official application, plan comparison, document upload, income update, special enrollment, and local help resources.
Use HealthCare.gov if you need Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage, want to compare plans, check eligibility for savings, update an application, upload documents, report a life change, or find local enrollment help. If you already have a private plan, your insurer may be the direct contact for claims, ID cards, provider networks, and billing.
HIPAA complaint, health privacy complaint and HHS civil rights help
The HHS Office for Civil Rights handles many complaints involving HIPAA privacy, health information security, civil rights, disability access, nondiscrimination, conscience and religious freedom. If you believe a covered entity or business associate violated HIPAA privacy or security rules, OCR is the correct official starting place.
OCR’s customer response center can be reached at 1-800-368-1019, with TDD toll-free at 1-800-537-7697. Users can also use the OCR complaint portal for health information privacy and civil rights complaints.
HIPAA complaint tip
Prepare the provider or organization name, date of incident, what happened, what records were involved, what you requested, and any written response you received. Do not include unnecessary sensitive details in public or unsecured messages.
Report HHS fraud, Medicare fraud, grant scams and spoofed government calls
The HHS Office of Inspector General protects the integrity of HHS programs and accepts reports of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse involving HHS programs. HHS-OIG’s hotline phone is 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477, with TTY 1-800-377-4950.
HHS-OIG also warns users that official-looking phone numbers can be spoofed by scammers. Do not trust caller ID alone. Government agencies will not usually demand immediate payment by gift card, threaten sudden arrest, or ask for personal numbers without a proper official process.
SAMHSA mental health, substance use and treatment referral help
SAMHSA is the HHS agency focused on mental health and substance use. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357), with TTY 1-800-487-4889. It is a confidential, free treatment referral and information service available in English and Spanish.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For suicide, mental health crisis, or emotional distress crisis support in the United States, call or text 988. For treatment referrals and program information, SAMHSA resources and FindTreatment.gov are strong official starting points.
HHS grants, funding opportunities and grant scam warnings
HHS is a major federal grant-making department, but HHS grants are not the same as personal “free money” messages. Official federal grant opportunities are generally posted through Grants.gov or agency-specific funding pages. Grants.gov notes that federal agencies do not publish personal financial assistance opportunities there; grants are for organizations and entities supporting government-funded programs and projects.
If you see a message claiming HHS will send you a personal grant after you pay a fee, buy gift cards, send bank details, or message someone on social media, treat it as suspicious. Use official .gov grant pages and the HHS-OIG hotline when you suspect fraud.
HHS FOIA, public records, reports and official documents
For federal agency records, use HHS FOIA resources or the FOIA process for the specific HHS division that may hold the record. FOIA is not the fastest path for every question. Many reports, budgets, policies, public data pages, press releases, grant awards, and guidance documents are already published online.
A strong FOIA request is specific. Include the office or agency, subject, date range, document type, names if appropriate, and whether you want electronic copies. Avoid broad wording like “send me everything about health care,” because it can delay processing.
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, mission, contact paths, and topic pages.
Do not use HHS main contact for urgent product or disease reports
If you are reporting a food, drug, device, or product safety issue, use the proper FDA reporting path. If you need current disease or travel health guidance, use CDC topic pages. If you need personal diagnosis or treatment, contact a licensed health care provider.
Children, families, aging, disability and community living programs
HHS also covers human services, not only health care. The Administration for Children and Families and the Administration for Community Living are important HHS divisions for child care, Head Start, family assistance, child welfare, refugee resettlement, aging services, disability resources, independent living, and long-term services support.
Many services are delivered through states, tribes, local agencies, community organizations, grantees, or program partners. HHS may fund or oversee a program, but your local application or service appointment may be handled by a state or local office.
Indian Health Service and tribal health resources under HHS
The Indian Health Service is an HHS agency that provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. IHS works through direct service programs, tribally operated programs, and urban Indian organizations. If your question involves tribal health programs, eligibility, facility services, Purchased/Referred Care, or an IHS area office, use official IHS resources instead of the general HHS phone first.
Tribal health services can be locally administered and may have different eligibility documentation, appointment rules, facility contacts, and program details. Always verify the specific IHS, tribal, or urban Indian health program page before visiting or sending documents.
Free vs paid HHS services, records, grants and federal health help
Most official HHS information pages are free to access. HHS.gov, CDC.gov, FDA.gov, NIH.gov, Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, SAMHSA.gov, Grants.gov, and other official federal sites provide many tools, forms, contact pages, and program explanations without a private website fee.
Some services may involve costs, premiums, official plan payments, insurance costs, Medicare cost-sharing, FOIA processing fees, copying costs, or official program fees. The key question is not just “free or paid.” The key question is whether the website and payment path are official.
Checklist before calling HHS or using an official federal health portal
Many users lose time because they contact HHS without the details needed to route the issue. Prepare the right information first, but do not overshare sensitive personal data unless you are on an official, secure government page or speaking to the verified agency.
Do not use general HHS contact pages for emergencies
If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911. If you need suicide, mental health crisis, or emotional distress support in the United States, call or text 988. If you suspect poisoning, severe symptoms, overdose, immediate violence, child abuse, elder abuse, or urgent danger, use the correct emergency or crisis hotline.
HHS contact pages are useful for program routing, federal records, complaints, public health information, grants, and official agency contacts. They are not a substitute for emergency medical care, urgent law enforcement help, crisis intervention, or immediate safety response.
HHS headquarters map and federal office location
The map below points to the HHS headquarters area in Washington, D.C. Most users do not need to visit HHS headquarters. For Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, grants, FOIA, public health, FDA, CDC, or NIH questions, use the official online portal or hotline first.
Official HHS links for health, benefits, complaints, grants, fraud and public records
Use these official resources before relying on directory sites, paid “application help” pages, grant messages, or unofficial phone numbers.
HHS.gov official website Main official website for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. HHS Contact Us Official HHS contact page with headquarters address and toll-free call center number. HHS Divisions Official page explaining HHS Office of the Secretary divisions and operating divisions. Medicare.gov Official Medicare website for coverage, plans, claims, account access and Medicare basics. HealthCare.gov Official Health Insurance Marketplace website for coverage applications, plan shopping and document upload. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Official CMS website for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace oversight, regulations and program information. HHS Office for Civil Rights Official OCR page for HIPAA, civil rights, health information privacy and nondiscrimination complaint resources. OCR Complaint Portal Official portal for filing health information privacy, civil rights, conscience and religious freedom complaints. HHS-OIG Report Fraud Official HHS Office of Inspector General resource for reporting fraud, waste and abuse. SAMHSA National Helpline Official behavioral health treatment referral and information helpline resource. CDC.gov Official CDC website for disease guidance, vaccines, public health data, outbreaks and travel health. FDA.gov Official FDA website for food, drugs, vaccines, devices, cosmetics, tobacco, recalls and safety alerts. NIH.gov Official National Institutes of Health website for research, institutes, clinical trials and health information. HHS grants on Grants.gov Official Grants.gov page for HHS grant-making agency information and funding opportunities. HHS FOIA Official HHS Freedom of Information Act resource for requesting federal agency records. Administration for Children and Families Official ACF site for children, families, Head Start, child care, child welfare, refugee services and family support. Administration for Community Living Official ACL site for aging, disability, community living, independent living and caregiver resources. Indian Health Service Official IHS site for federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.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 number is 1-877-696-6775. Use it for general HHS contact and routing. For Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, fraud, grants, or behavioral health support, a specialized official portal or hotline may be faster.
What does HHS stand for?
HHS stands for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. It is a federal department that works across public health, health care, human services, research, civil rights, grants, and program oversight.
Is HHS the same as my state health department?
No. HHS is a federal department. State and local health departments handle many local services such as county clinics, local inspections, state vital records, state disease reporting, and local appointment rules.
How do I contact HHS about Medicare?
For Medicare questions, use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. HHS oversees CMS, but Medicare.gov is usually the direct public-facing portal for Medicare coverage, claims, cards, plans, and account help.
How do I contact HHS about HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage?
Use HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. The TTY number listed by HealthCare.gov is 1-855-889-4325. Use this for Marketplace applications, enrollment, document upload, account help, and plan questions.
Where do I file a HIPAA complaint?
HIPAA privacy and security complaints are handled through the HHS Office for Civil Rights. You can use the OCR complaint portal or contact OCR at 1-800-368-1019, TDD 1-800-537-7697.
How do I report HHS fraud or Medicare fraud?
Use the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline. The HHS-OIG hotline phone is 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477. You can also use the official online fraud reporting page.
Does HHS give personal grants or free money to individuals?
Be careful. HHS is a major grant-making department, but real federal grants are usually posted through official systems such as Grants.gov and are often for organizations, states, tribes, universities, health centers, or nonprofits. Random messages promising personal HHS cash after a fee are likely scams.
Which HHS agency handles mental health and substance use help?
SAMHSA handles many federal mental health and substance use resources. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For suicide or mental health crisis support in the U.S., call or text 988.
Which HHS agency handles food, drugs and medical device safety?
The FDA handles food, drugs, biological products, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco products, recalls, and safety reporting. Use FDA.gov for product safety and regulatory questions.
Which HHS agency handles disease guidance and vaccines?
The CDC handles national disease guidance, immunization recommendations, outbreaks, travel health, public health data, and prevention resources. Use CDC.gov for official disease and vaccine guidance.
Which HHS agency handles medical research?
The National Institutes of Health handles major federal biomedical research and health information resources. Use NIH.gov, MedlinePlus, and ClinicalTrials.gov for research, health topics, and clinical trial information.
How do I request HHS records?
Use HHS FOIA resources for federal agency records. Be specific about the office, topic, date range, document type, and preferred format. If you need personal medical records, contact the provider or organization that created the records.
Where is HHS headquarters?
HHS headquarters is at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Is this the official HHS website?
No. This is an independent informational guide. For official contact, complaints, Medicare, Marketplace coverage, grants, FOIA, fraud reports, health guidance, or agency services, use HHS.gov or the correct official .gov agency page.
Independent guide and official-use disclaimer
This article is an independent guide created to help users understand the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, HHS phone numbers, official agencies, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, HIPAA complaints, civil rights, fraud reporting, grants, public records, public health agencies, and human services resources.
It is not the official HHS website and does not provide medical, legal, insurance, benefits, licensing, grant, or emergency advice. Before filing a complaint, applying for coverage, reporting fraud, requesting records, submitting a grant, relying on health guidance, or sharing sensitive information, verify details directly on HHS.gov or the correct official .gov agency website.
Bottom line for the Department of Health and Human Services
For general HHS contact, use the official HHS contact page or call 1-877-696-6775. For Medicare, go to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. For Marketplace health insurance, use HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. For HIPAA or civil rights complaints, use the HHS Office for Civil Rights. For suspected HHS fraud, use HHS-OIG. For mental health or substance use treatment referral, use SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The strongest user path is simple: identify the exact problem, choose the correct official HHS office or agency, verify the .gov page, and avoid unofficial sites that ask for money, personal numbers, or “grant release” fees.