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Enforcement and Information offered by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office for Civil Rights

Enforcement and Information offered by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office for Civil Rights

Ensures equal access to certain health and human services, protects the privacy and security of health information and investigates discrimination on the bases of conscience or religious freedom. Civil Rights Complaint Investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex (including sex stereotyping and gender identity), or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or to which HHS provides federal financial assistance. Also investigates complaints of discrimination based on disability by a state or local government health care or social services agency.   HIPAA Complaint Investigates complaints that a Health Insurance Portability/Accountability Act-covered entity or its business associate violated health information privacy rights. OCR can investigate complaints against covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, or health care providers that conduct certain transactions electronically) and their business associates. Conscience and Religious Freedom Complaint Investigates complaints that a covered entity discriminated on the basis of conscience or religious freedom, coerced someone to violate your conscience or religious beliefs, or burdened someone's free exercise of religion

Physical Address

701 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Hours

M-F, 8am-4pm.

Application process

Call, visit in person, write or e-mail.

Fee

None.

Eligibility

No restrictions.

Languages

Interpreter services

Agency info

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office for Civil Rights

Monitors compliance with federal civil rights statutes by organizations receiving federal (Department of Health and Human Services) funds. Receives and resolves discrimination complaints from the public, carries out agency-initiated cases or compliance reviews and reviews and provides technical assistance to people and institutions concerning their rights and compliance with the laws. Ensures the privacy of people's identifiable health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), by providing public education and technical assistance, investigating complaints, and conducting compliance reviews.