How to File Complaints Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office for Civil Rights Addresses for Submission of HIPAA Health Information Privacy Complaints

These are the addresses for filing a complaint with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for non-compliance by a covered entity with the standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy rule.

The Secretary, HHS has delegated to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) the authority to receive and investigate complaints as they may relate to the privacy Rule. Individuals may file their complaints with OCR at the addresses listed below. Individuals may, but are not required to, use OCR's Health Information Privacy Complaint Form. To obtain a copy of this form contact any OCR office or go to

www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm.

Complaints must:

1. Be filed in writing, either on paper or electronically;
2. Name the entity that is the subject of the complaint and describe the acts or omissions believed to be in violation of the applicable requirements of the privacy rule; and
3. Be filed within 180 days of when the complainant knew or should have known that the act or omission complained of occurred, unless this time limit is waived by the Office for Civil Rights for good cause shown.

For all complaints filed by e-mail send to:
OCRComplaint@hhs.gov.

Complaints may be filed only with respect to alleged violations occurring on or after April 14, 2003.

Addresses:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont:
Region I, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Government Center, J.F. Kennedy Federal Building--Room 1875,
Boston, Massachusetts 02203

Phone (617) 565-1340
FAX (617) 565-3809
TDD (617) 565-1343

 

New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, or Virgin Islands:
Region II, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jacob Javits Federal Building
26 Federal Plaza--Suite 3312,
New York, New York, 10278

Phone (212) 264-3313
FAX (212) 264-3039
TDD (212) 264-2355

 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia:
Region III, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
150 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 372
Public Ledger Building
Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111

Main Line (215) 861-4441
Hotline (800) 368-1019
FAX (215) 861-4431
TDD (215) 861-4440

 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee:
Region IV, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 3B70
61 Forsyth Street, SW.,
Atlanta, GA 30303-8909

Phone (404) 562-7886
FAX (404) 562-7881
TDD (404) 331-2867

 

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin:
Region V, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
233 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 240
Chicago, Ill. 60601

Phone (312) 886-2359
FAX (312) 886-1807
TDD (312) 353-5693

 

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas:
Region VI, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1301 Young Street, Suite 1169
Dallas, TX 75202

Phone (214) 767-4056
FAX (214) 767-0432
TDD (214) 767-8940

 

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska:
Region VII, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
601 East 12th Street--Room 248
Kansas City, Missouri 64106

Phone (816) 426-7278
FAX (816) 426-3686
TDD (816) 426-7065

 

Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming:
Region VIII, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1961 Stout Street--Room 1185 FOB
Denver, CO 80294-3538

Phone (303) 844-2024
FAX (303) 844-2025
TDD (303) 844-3439

 

American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, or Nevada:
Region IX, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
50 United Nations Plaza - Room 322
San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone (415) 437-8310
FAX (415) 437-8329
TDD (415) 437-8311

 

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington:
Region X, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2201 Sixth Avenue--Suite 900
Seattle, Washington 98121-1831

Phone (206) 615-2287
FAX (206) 615-2297
TDD (206) 615-2296