United States Department of Health: HHS Phone, Agencies, Programs, Benefits & Official Help
Many people search for the United States Department of Health, but the official federal department name is the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). This guide explains how to contact HHS, which federal health agency to use, where to get Medicare or Marketplace help, how to file HIPAA or civil rights complaints, where to report HHS fraud, and how to avoid fake grant or benefit websites.
HHS is not one clinic, one insurance office, or one state health department. It is a federal department with operating divisions such as CMS, CDC, FDA, NIH, HRSA, SAMHSA, ACF, ACL, IHS, AHRQ, ASPR and other offices. The right contact depends on your exact issue.
This finder points you to the correct official federal health resource. It does not replace HHS, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, OCR, OIG, SAMHSA, CDC, FDA, NIH, CMS, HRSA, ACF, ACL or any emergency service. It helps users avoid a common mistake: treating HHS as one phone desk for every federal health problem.
For general U.S. Department of Health & Human Services questions, use the official HHS contact page or call 1-877-696-6775. If your issue is Medicare, Marketplace insurance, HIPAA, fraud, grants, disease guidance, product safety, research, behavioral health or family services, use the specific official agency path below.
United States Department of Health phone number and official HHS contact path
The official federal department people often mean by “United States Department of Health” is the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The main HHS toll-free call center number is 1-877-696-6775. HHS headquarters is listed at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
That main number is useful for general routing, but high-intent user needs often require a specific federal program. Medicare questions usually go to Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage questions go to HealthCare.gov or 1-800-318-2596. HIPAA and civil rights complaints go through the HHS Office for Civil Rights at 1-800-368-1019. HHS fraud, waste and abuse tips go through HHS-OIG at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477.
The safest path is simple: identify the exact issue, use the official .gov agency page, and do not pay a private website or respond to a suspicious call before checking the official federal source.
United States Department of Health and HHS fast facts for 2026
Official verification for this United States Department of Health guide
Publish-ready as of: May 9, 2026.
This article was prepared using official federal resources, including HHS.gov, the HHS contact page, HHS divisions pages, Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, HHS Office for Civil Rights, HHS Office of Inspector General, SAMHSA, CDC.gov, FDA.gov, NIH.gov, CMS.gov, Grants.gov and HHS FOIA resources.
Federal agency pages, leadership, program names, divisions, phone routing, complaint systems, funding notices, eligibility rules, fraud warnings and public health guidance can change. Always verify the official .gov page before applying, filing a complaint, reporting fraud, requesting records, relying on a deadline, paying money or sharing sensitive information.
What this United States Department of Health guide covers
United States Department of Health vs Department of Health and Human Services
There is no separate cabinet-level federal agency commonly called only “United States Department of Health” for public services. In most searches, users mean the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). HHS is the federal department responsible for broad health and human services programs across the United States.
This distinction matters. If you search only “United States Department of Health,” you may see state health departments, local health departments, private directories, older pages or unofficial contact sites. For federal health programs, use HHS.gov or the specific federal agency site such as Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, CDC.gov, FDA.gov, NIH.gov, CMS.gov or SAMHSA.gov.
United States Department of Health phone number directory by service
The main HHS phone number is useful for general contact, but it should not be your only path. The federal health system is large, and many high-value user actions have dedicated official phone numbers or portals.
Best way to avoid the wrong HHS phone number
Before calling, identify the exact issue: Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, civil rights, fraud, grants, FOIA, disease guidance, product safety, clinical trials, treatment referral or family services. Then use the official phone number or portal tied to that program instead of calling the main HHS number for everything.
HHS vs state department of health vs local health department
HHS is a federal department. State and local health departments are different. If you need a local birth certificate, county health clinic, WIC clinic appointment, local restaurant inspection, septic permit, local immunization record, state nursing license, or county disease alert, your state or local health department may be the correct office.
Use HHS for federal programs, national public health guidance, Medicare, Marketplace oversight, HIPAA complaints, federal civil rights complaints, federal grants, federal health research, HHS fraud reporting, national health data and federal human services policy.
HHS agencies and divisions: which official page should you use?
HHS is made up of operating divisions and staff divisions that work together on health and human services. The best user experience is not a huge generic list; it is a clear path to the division that actually handles the user’s need.
What the United States Department of Health and Human Services handles
HHS covers health, public health, health insurance programs, medical research, health privacy, civil rights, human services, grants, disease guidance, food and drug safety, program integrity and federal health oversight. It is broad, but that does not mean one office handles every question.
What HHS may not be the right office for
HHS is not always the right office, even when the topic sounds health-related. The wrong contact wastes time and can lead users to miss deadlines or share personal information with the wrong place.
Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and CMS help under HHS
CMS is the HHS agency connected to Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace oversight. Users searching for the United States Department of Health often really need Medicare.gov, a state Medicaid office or CMS.gov.
Use Medicare.gov for Medicare enrollment, Medicare cards, claims, Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, Part D, plan comparison and coverage basics. Use your state Medicaid agency for many Medicaid eligibility, renewal and card issues. Use CMS.gov for federal policy, provider information, regulations, program guidance and technical resources.
Medicare safety warning
Do not give Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, banking information or plan details to callers who pressure you. Caller ID can be spoofed. Use Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or HHS-OIG if you suspect fraud.
HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage, enrollment and account help
HealthCare.gov is the official Health Insurance Marketplace website for many users shopping for Affordable Care Act coverage. Use it for plan comparison, applications, income updates, document upload, special enrollment, open enrollment, account help and local enrollment assistance.
HealthCare.gov lists 1-800-318-2596 for Marketplace help and 1-855-889-4325 for TTY. If you already have a plan, your insurance company may be the direct contact for ID cards, billing, claims, provider networks, covered drugs and prior authorization.
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, breach notification, civil rights, disability access, nondiscrimination, conscience and religious freedom. If a HIPAA covered entity or business associate may have violated health information privacy rules, OCR is the official starting place.
OCR’s Customer Response Center is 1-800-368-1019, with TDD toll-free 1-800-537-7697. OCR also provides an online complaint portal for health information privacy, civil rights, conscience and religious freedom complaints.
Report HHS fraud, Medicare fraud, grant scams and spoofed government calls
The HHS Office of Inspector General accepts tips and complaints about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in HHS programs. You can report suspected fraud online or call 1-800-HHS-TIPS / 1-800-447-8477. TTY is 1-800-377-4950.
HHS-OIG also warns that scammers can spoof official-looking phone numbers. Do not trust caller ID alone. Be careful with fake grants, Medicare scams, requests for gift cards, threats of arrest, and urgent demands for personal information.
Mental health, substance use treatment referral and crisis support
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 treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish.
For suicide, mental health crisis or emotional distress support in the United States, call or text 988. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. Do not wait for an HHS general contact form during immediate danger.
CDC, FDA and NIH: when HHS searchers need a specific agency
Many users search for the United States Department of Health when the correct answer is a specific HHS operating division. CDC, FDA and NIH are three of the most common agency paths.
Do not use HHS main contact for urgent product or disease issues
If you need disease guidance, use CDC. If you need to report a food, drug, device or product safety problem, use FDA reporting paths. If you need diagnosis, treatment or medical advice, contact a licensed health care provider.
HHS grants, FOIA, public records and official documents
HHS is a major grant-making department, but real HHS grant opportunities are not random personal cash awards through text messages or social media. Official grants are generally posted through Grants.gov and agency-specific funding pages.
For federal agency records, use HHS FOIA resources or the FOIA process for the division that may hold the record. Many reports, policies, press releases, budgets, data pages and guidance documents are already published online, so search official pages first.
Children, families, aging, disability and community living programs
HHS also covers human services. The Administration for Children and Families and the Administration for Community Living are important HHS divisions for child care, Head Start, child welfare, family assistance, refugee resettlement, aging, disability, caregiver support and independent living resources.
Many services are delivered through states, tribes, grantees, local agencies and community partners. HHS may fund or oversee the program, but the application or local appointment may happen through a state or local office.
Free vs paid HHS services, coverage, grants and records
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 .gov pages provide many tools, forms, contact pages, reports and program explanations without private website fees.
Some services may still involve costs, such as health insurance premiums, Medicare cost-sharing, Marketplace plan payments, FOIA processing fees, official copies or program-related costs. The important question is whether the website and payment path are official.
Checklist before contacting HHS or a federal health agency
Prepare the right information before calling or filing online. Do not overshare Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, banking information or medical details unless you are on a verified official page or speaking with the correct 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, overdose, violence, severe symptoms or immediate danger, use the correct emergency or crisis resource.
HHS contact pages are useful for program routing, complaints, grants, records, federal health guidance and official agency contacts. They are not a substitute for emergency medical care, urgent law enforcement help, crisis intervention or immediate safety response.
United States Department of Health and Human Services headquarters map
The map below points to HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Most users do not need to visit HHS headquarters. For Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, fraud, grants, FOIA, CDC, FDA, NIH or SAMHSA questions, use the official online portal or hotline first.
Official United States Department of Health / HHS links
Use these official resources before relying on directory sites, paid “application help” pages, grant messages, social media contacts or unofficial phone numbers.
HHS.gov official website Main official website for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. HHS Contact Us Official contact page with HHS headquarters address and toll-free call center number. HHS Divisions Official page explaining HHS operating divisions and Office of the Secretary divisions. Medicare.gov Official Medicare website for coverage, plans, claims, enrollment and account help. HealthCare.gov Official Health Insurance Marketplace website for applications, plan shopping and coverage help. CMS.gov Official Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. HHS Office for Civil Rights Official OCR page for HIPAA, civil rights, health information privacy and nondiscrimination resources. OCR Complaint Portal Official portal for health information privacy, civil rights, conscience and religious freedom complaints. HHS-OIG Report Fraud Official page for reporting fraud, waste and abuse involving HHS programs. SAMHSA National Helpline Official mental health and substance use treatment referral and information helpline. CDC.gov Official CDC website for disease, vaccines, outbreaks, travel health and public health data. FDA.gov Official FDA website for drugs, food, medical devices, recalls and safety alerts. NIH.gov Official NIH 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 federal agency records.United States Department of Health FAQ
Is there a United States Department of Health?
Most users who search “United States Department of Health” mean the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, also called HHS. HHS is the official federal department for major health and human services programs.
What is the United States Department of Health phone number?
The main HHS toll-free call center number is 1-877-696-6775. Use it for general HHS routing. For Medicare, Marketplace, HIPAA, fraud or behavioral health support, specialized official numbers may be faster.
What is the official HHS headquarters address?
HHS headquarters is listed at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
Is HHS the same as a state department of health?
No. HHS is a federal department. State health departments handle many state and local services such as vital records, state immunization records, local health offices and state-specific public health programs.
How do I contact HHS about Medicare?
Use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Medicare.gov is usually the direct public-facing portal for Medicare enrollment, cards, claims, plans and coverage questions.
How do I contact HealthCare.gov Marketplace?
Use HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. TTY is 1-855-889-4325. Use this for Marketplace applications, enrollment, plan comparison, document upload and account help.
Where do I file a HIPAA complaint?
HIPAA complaints are handled through the HHS Office for Civil Rights. OCR can be reached at 1-800-368-1019, with TDD at 1-800-537-7697.
How do I report HHS fraud or Medicare fraud?
Use the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline. Call 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477, or use the official HHS-OIG online fraud reporting page.
Does HHS give personal grants or free money?
Be careful. HHS is a major grant-making department, but real federal grants are generally posted through official systems such as Grants.gov and are commonly for organizations, agencies, tribes, universities, nonprofits or health programs. Random messages promising personal HHS cash after a fee are likely scams.
Which HHS agency handles disease and vaccines?
The CDC handles disease guidance, vaccine recommendations, outbreaks, travel health and public health data. Use CDC.gov for official disease and vaccine information.
Which HHS agency handles food, drugs and medical device safety?
The FDA handles food, drugs, biologics, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco products, recalls and safety reporting. Use FDA.gov for product safety information.
Which HHS agency handles medical research?
The National Institutes of Health handles major federal biomedical research and health information. Use NIH.gov, MedlinePlus and ClinicalTrials.gov for research and clinical trial resources.
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. For private medical records, contact the provider or organization that created the records.
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 United States Department of Health search intent, the official U.S. Department of Health & Human Services name, HHS phone numbers, federal health agencies, Medicare, Marketplace coverage, HIPAA complaints, civil rights, fraud reporting, grants, public records, disease guidance, product safety, medical research and human services resources.
It is not the official HHS website and does not provide medical, legal, insurance, benefits, licensing, grant, emergency or eligibility advice. Before filing a complaint, applying for coverage, reporting fraud, requesting records, submitting a grant, relying on public health guidance or sharing sensitive information, verify details directly on HHS.gov or the correct official .gov agency website.
Bottom line for United States Department of Health searches
If you are searching for the United States Department of Health, the official federal department you likely need is the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Use 1-877-696-6775 for general HHS contact. Use Medicare.gov for Medicare, HealthCare.gov for Marketplace coverage, OCR for HIPAA and civil rights complaints, HHS-OIG for fraud reports, SAMHSA for behavioral health treatment referral, CDC for disease guidance, FDA for product safety and NIH for research.
The strongest path is official first: identify the exact issue, choose the correct federal health agency, verify the .gov page, prepare details before calling, and avoid unofficial sites that ask for payment, personal numbers or “grant release” fees.