Office of Public Affairs
Department of Health and Human Services
Room 5541 Cohen Building
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington,
DC 20201
800-HHS-TIPS (Voice - Toll-free, Fraud Hotline)
202-619-1343 (Voice, Public Affairs)
202-260-8512 (FAX)
800-223-8164 (FAX)
800-377-4950 (Voice - TTY)
The Inspector General's Hotline was established to protect the integrity of programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DHHS employees, contractors, and the general public can call or write the Hotline to report violations of law and regulations in DHHS programs and operations. Criminal activity, conflict of interest, fraud or misuse of grant and contract funds, conduct of personal business on government time, significant mismanagement and waste of funds, and violations of standards of conduct are the types of activities which should be reported to the Hotline. The Hotline should not be used in place of other established grievance and complaint procedures. DHHS policy and "whistleblower" provisions of the law protect individuals who give information or evidence of violations or mismanagement from reprisals. Complaints regarding fraud, waste, and abuse of Medicare funds should first be reported to the Medicare carrier or intermediary that handles Medicare beneficiary claims. This includes complaints regarding incorrect/improper billing practices. The Hotline operates from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday, with both English- and Spanish-speaking representatives available to provide assistance. Other programs include Aid To Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), and Head Start.
The Office of Inspector General issues a poster detailing the use of the Hotline.