What HHS Does: Health Care, Public Health, Social Services, Research, Benefits & Program Help
This guide explains what the Department of Health and Human Services does, which programs it runs, which agencies are under HHS, when to use HHS.gov, and when your issue belongs to Medicare, Medicaid, HealthCare.gov, CDC, FDA, NIH, SAMHSA, ACF, ACL, HRSA, IHS, OCR, OIG, a state agency, or a local health department.
HHS is not one local clinic or one benefit office. It is a federal department responsible for public health, health care, and human/social services across the United States, including more than 100 programs and services.
This finder helps users understand what HHS does and which official program path fits the problem. It does not replace HHS, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, CDC, FDA, NIH, SAMHSA, OCR, OIG, ACF, ACL, HRSA, IHS, a state Medicaid agency, or a local health department.
HHS is the federal department responsible for public health, health care, and human/social services in the United States. It administers more than 100 programs and services, including Medicare and Medicaid oversight, public health guidance, disease prevention, food and drug safety, medical research, social services, children and family programs, aging and disability resources, grants, HIPAA/civil rights enforcement, and fraud oversight.
What does the Department of Health and Human Services do?
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, usually called HHS, is the federal department responsible for public health, health care, and human/social services for the United States. HHS administers more than 100 programs and services across health care, public health, social services, emergency preparedness, medical research, food and drug safety, health privacy, civil rights, grants, and fraud oversight.
In simple terms, HHS helps run or oversee major health and social programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, HealthCare.gov Marketplace support, Head Start, child care support, programs for older adults, disability resources, mental health and substance use treatment referral, disease prevention, vaccine guidance, health research, health centers, and health information privacy protections.
The main HHS 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. For many services, however, the best route is not the main HHS number. Use the exact official program or agency page for your issue.
Department of Health and Human Services fast facts for 2026
Official verification for this HHS programs guide
Publish-ready as of: May 8, 2026.
This article was built from official HHS and related federal resources, including HHS.gov Programs and Services, HHS Divisions, HHS Contact Us, HHS Social Services, Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, CDC.gov, FDA.gov, NIH.gov, CMS.gov, SAMHSA, ACF, ACL, HRSA, IHS, HHS Office for Civil Rights, HHS Office of Inspector General, Grants.gov and HHS FOIA resources.
Federal health and social service programs can change. Agency structures, phone numbers, program names, eligibility rules, grant notices, public health guidance, benefit application paths, complaint portals and emergency information may update over time. Always verify the official .gov page before applying, filing, reporting, paying, sharing sensitive information or relying on a deadline.
What this Department of Health & Social Services guide covers
What is the Department of Health and Human Services?
The Department of Health and Human Services is a cabinet-level federal department in the United States government. Its job is to protect the health of Americans and provide essential human services, especially for people who need support through health coverage, public health programs, family services, aging support, disability resources, behavioral health, food and drug safety, research and community programs.
HHS is not the same as a state health department. HHS is federal. State health departments, county health departments and local benefit offices usually handle local clinics, state vital records, local environmental health permits, local inspections, county immunization clinics, state Medicaid applications and in-person social service offices.
HHS works through many operating divisions and offices. Some are public-facing agencies like CDC, FDA, NIH and CMS. Others work on grants, civil rights, oversight, preparedness, policy, research, health information technology, children and families, aging, disability and tribal health services.
Simple explanation for users
If your question is “what does the Department of Health and Human Services do,” the simple answer is: HHS runs and oversees many federal health and human service programs that support health care access, public health, medical research, product safety, children and families, older adults, people with disabilities, mental health, substance use treatment referral, emergency preparedness, grants, and civil rights protections.
Main HHS programs and services by category
HHS organizes public information around several broad program areas. These categories help users understand where to go first. Most people do not need to understand the whole federal department. They need to identify whether their issue is health care, public health, social services, research, safety, civil rights, grants or fraud reporting.
HHS agencies and divisions: what each one does
HHS is made up of a family of divisions that work together to protect health and support people across the country. Some divisions run public programs, some regulate safety, some fund research, some enforce rights and privacy, and others support policy, emergency response and program management.
What HHS does for health care, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and insurance help
One of the biggest parts of HHS user intent is health coverage. Through CMS and related programs, HHS connects to Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Marketplace coverage, quality reporting, health insurance oversight and health care access programs.
HHS does not personally approve every state Medicaid case from the main HHS phone number. Medicare questions usually go to Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. Marketplace coverage questions go to HealthCare.gov or 1-800-318-2596. Medicaid applications and renewals often go through the state Medicaid agency. The federal HHS role is broad oversight, program administration, rules, funding and public information.
What HHS does for public health, prevention, emergencies and disease guidance
HHS plays a major role in public health and prevention. Through CDC, ASPR, FDA, SAMHSA and other divisions, HHS supports disease prevention, vaccine guidance, outbreak response, emergency preparedness, public health data, mental health and substance use resources, food safety, drug safety and product safety.
For disease guidance, vaccines, outbreak information or travel health, CDC is often the direct official resource. For medical products, drug recalls, food safety, medical devices and product safety, FDA is usually the direct resource. For emergencies and disaster preparedness, HHS divisions coordinate with federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners.
What HHS does for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers
HHS supports programs and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, families and professionals. The Administration for Community Living is an important HHS division for aging, disability and community living support. The goal is to help people live with independence, dignity and access to community-based support where possible.
These resources can include information for older adults, caregiver support, disability program navigation, independent living resources, long-term services and supports, aging network information and disability nondiscrimination resources. Local services may be delivered through state units on aging, area agencies on aging, disability organizations, local service providers or community partners.
What HHS does for health research, clinical trials, drug safety and health information
HHS supports medical research and public health information through agencies such as NIH, AHRQ, CDC, FDA and the National Library of Medicine. NIH supports and conducts biomedical research. The National Library of Medicine provides major health information resources. ClinicalTrials.gov helps users search clinical studies. FDA regulates many medical products and product safety topics.
This part of HHS is important because many users confuse medical advice, research information and product regulation. HHS agencies can provide official information, but they usually do not replace your doctor, diagnose your condition, or approve personal treatment decisions through a general public contact form.
What HHS does for HIPAA, civil rights, disability access and health privacy
The HHS Office for Civil Rights handles many complaints involving health information privacy, HIPAA, civil rights, disability access, language access, nondiscrimination, conscience and religious freedom. If you believe a covered health provider, health plan or related organization mishandled protected health information, denied access, or discriminated in a covered health or human service program, OCR may be the correct HHS office.
OCR’s public contact resources include 1-800-368-1019 and TDD 1-800-537-7697. The OCR complaint portal is the official online path for many privacy and civil rights complaints.
What HHS does for grants, funding, fraud, waste and abuse
HHS is a major federal grant-making department. Grants may support research, health centers, public health programs, child care, Head Start, aging services, behavioral health, workforce programs and community services. But HHS grants are not the same as random “free money” messages sent to individuals through social media, text messages or phone calls.
Official grant opportunities generally use Grants.gov or agency-specific funding pages. HHS-OIG helps fight fraud, waste and abuse in HHS programs. HHS-OIG’s hotline phone is 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477. Users should report suspected Medicare fraud, HHS grant fraud, false billing, kickbacks, misuse of HHS funds or other program integrity concerns through official OIG resources.
What HHS may not handle directly
HHS is broad, but it is not the direct office for every health, insurance, benefits, record or emergency issue. One of the biggest user mistakes is contacting the federal HHS call center when a state, county, provider, insurer, court, employer or separate federal agency is the real record holder or service office.
How to use HHS programs without going to the wrong office
Identify whether your issue is federal, state or local
Medicare, HIPAA, federal public health guidance, FDA safety, NIH research and HHS grants are federal. State Medicaid cases, vital records, local clinics and local permits may be state or county-based.
Choose the correct HHS program category
Decide whether you need health care coverage, public health guidance, social services, disability support, aging resources, research information, privacy help, grants, fraud reporting or public records.
Use the exact official agency page
Use HHS.gov for department-level information, Medicare.gov for Medicare, HealthCare.gov for Marketplace coverage, CDC.gov for disease guidance, FDA.gov for product safety and NIH.gov for research.
Prepare details before calling or filing
Have your program name, agency name, application ID, complaint details, Medicare plan, Marketplace application, grant opportunity number, FOIA date range or local office information ready.
Protect personal information and avoid scams
Use official .gov pages, avoid gift card payments, do not trust caller ID alone, and do not share Social Security, Medicare, banking or health details with unverified callers.
Do not use general HHS 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 someone is in immediate danger, has severe symptoms, may overdose, is being harmed, or needs urgent medical care, do not wait for HHS email, FOIA, complaint portals or office-hour phone lines.
HHS programs are important, but general HHS pages are not a substitute for emergency medical care, crisis support, law enforcement response, poison control, urgent child protection, elder protection or immediate safety services.
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 guidance, FDA, CDC, NIH or social service questions, use the official online portal or hotline first.
Official HHS links for programs, social services, health care, complaints and records
Use these official resources before relying on directory sites, paid application help pages, fake grant messages, unofficial phone numbers or social media claims.
HHS.gov official website Main official website for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. HHS Programs and Services Official HHS page for health care, social services, public health, prevention, research and health information programs. HHS Divisions Official page explaining HHS agencies, operating divisions and Office of the Secretary divisions. HHS Contact Us Official HHS contact page with headquarters address and toll-free call center number. HHS Social Services Official HHS social services page for children, families, people with disabilities, older adults and caregivers. Children and Family Services Official HHS resources to help families find child care, food support, child health and related services. Programs for People with Disabilities Official HHS resources for disability programs, caregivers, families and professionals. Programs for Older Adults Official HHS resources for older adults and aging-related support. Medicare.gov Official Medicare website for coverage, plans, claims, cards, enrollment and Medicare basics. HealthCare.gov Official Health Insurance Marketplace website for applications, plan comparison, enrollment and document upload. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Official CMS website for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace oversight, regulations and program information. CDC.gov Official CDC website for disease guidance, vaccines, prevention, outbreaks, data and travel health. FDA.gov Official FDA website for food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco, recalls and safety alerts. NIH.gov Official National Institutes of Health website for research, institutes, clinical trials and health information. SAMHSA National Helpline Official behavioral health treatment referral and information helpline resource. HHS Office for Civil Rights Official OCR page for HIPAA, civil rights, privacy and nondiscrimination complaint resources. HHS-OIG Report Fraud Official HHS Office of Inspector General resource for reporting fraud, waste and abuse. 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.Department of Health and Human Services FAQ: programs, services and agencies
What does the Department of Health and Human Services do?
HHS is responsible for public health, health care and human/social services in the United States. It administers more than 100 programs and services, including Medicare and Medicaid oversight, public health guidance, social services, medical research, food and drug safety, HIPAA and civil rights enforcement, grants and fraud oversight.
What does HHS stand for?
HHS stands for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. It is a federal department that works across health care, public health, human services, research, grants, civil rights and program oversight.
What is the main HHS 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 or grants, a specialized official portal may be faster.
Is HHS the same as a state health department?
No. HHS is a federal department. State and local health departments usually handle local clinics, state vital records, county health services, local inspections, state Medicaid applications and local public health offices.
Which agencies are part of HHS?
Major HHS divisions include CMS, CDC, FDA, NIH, HRSA, SAMHSA, ACF, ACL, AHRQ, ASPR, IHS, OCR, OIG and other Office of the Secretary divisions. Each agency has its own role and official website.
Does HHS run Medicare?
Medicare is administered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an HHS agency. For public Medicare questions, use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Does HHS run Medicaid?
HHS and CMS provide federal oversight for Medicaid, but eligibility, enrollment and renewals are commonly handled by state Medicaid agencies. Use your state Medicaid office for case-specific help.
Does HHS manage HealthCare.gov?
HealthCare.gov is the official Health Insurance Marketplace website connected to federal health coverage assistance. Use HealthCare.gov for Marketplace applications, plan comparison, document upload and coverage updates.
What social services does HHS support?
HHS supports programs and resources for children and families, Head Start, child care, child support, people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, family assistance, refugee services and community living.
What does HHS do for public health?
HHS supports disease prevention, vaccines, outbreak guidance, emergency preparedness, food safety, drug safety, product safety, mental health and substance use resources, public health data and national prevention guidance.
Where do I file a HIPAA complaint?
Use the HHS Office for Civil Rights complaint portal or OCR contact resources. OCR handles many health information privacy, HIPAA, civil rights and nondiscrimination complaints.
How do I report HHS fraud?
Use the HHS Office of Inspector General. The HHS-OIG hotline phone is 1-800-HHS-TIPS or 1-800-447-8477. Use official OIG resources for suspected fraud, waste or abuse involving HHS programs.
Does HHS give free personal grants?
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.
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 programs, contact information, 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 what the Department of Health and Human Services does, which programs it runs, which agencies are under HHS, and how to find the correct official federal, state or local path.
It is not the official HHS website and does not provide medical advice, legal advice, insurance advice, benefits decisions, grant decisions, emergency help or guaranteed eligibility information. Before applying, filing a complaint, reporting fraud, requesting records, paying a fee, submitting a grant or sharing sensitive information, verify details directly on HHS.gov or the correct official .gov agency website.
Bottom line: what HHS does and how users should use it
HHS is the federal department that works across public health, health care and human/social services. It supports Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace coverage, public health guidance, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, food and drug safety, medical research, children and family services, older adult programs, disability resources, caregiver support, mental health and substance use resources, health privacy, civil rights, grants and fraud oversight.
The strongest user path is official first, exact agency second, local office third. Use HHS.gov to understand the department. Use Medicare.gov for Medicare. Use HealthCare.gov for Marketplace coverage. Use CDC.gov for disease and vaccines. Use FDA.gov for food, drugs and product safety. Use NIH.gov for research. Use OCR for HIPAA and civil rights complaints. Use HHS-OIG for fraud. Use state or local health departments for local clinics, vital records, inspections and local public health services.
What HHS does for social services, children, families and child care
HHS is also a human services department. It does not only work on doctors, hospitals and insurance. It supports social services that improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities. These programs can include Head Start, child care access, child support resources, family assistance, child welfare, refugee resettlement and resources that help families find health, food, child care and community support.
Many HHS social service programs are funded or overseen federally but delivered through state agencies, local offices, tribes, nonprofit organizations, schools, community partners or grantees. That means HHS may explain the program and funding, but the local application can still be handled somewhere else.