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Section 504

Section 504 Law

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act makes it illegal for federal agencies, or programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance or are conducted by a federal agency, to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities.

CMS Section 504 Commitment

CMS is committed to making its programs, benefits, services, facilities, information, and technology accessible in accordance with Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. CMS provides various auxiliary aids and services, including alternate formats and relay services, at no cost to better communicate with people with disabilities.

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination in a CMS program or activity, there are 3 ways to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:

By phone: Call 1-800-368-1019. TDD users should call 1-800-537-7697.

In writing:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201

For additional information, email AltFormatRequest@cms.hhs.gov

Website Links

What is Section 504 and how does it relate to Section 508? | HHS.gov

Civil Rights for Providers of Health Care and Human Services | HHS.gov

Civil Rights for Individuals and Advocates | HHS.gov

CMS Nondiscrimination & Auxiliary Aid Notice

Section 504 Regulation Applicable to CMS

Example of a Policy/Procedure for Providing Auxiliary Aids/Services
Table of Request for an Auxiliary Aid

Request for an Auxiliary Aid

To request an auxiliary aid or service, you can:

Call 1-844-ALT-FORM (1-844-258-3676). TTY users should call: 1-844-716-3676.

Send a fax to 1-844-530-3676.

Send an email to: AltFormatRequest@cms.hhs.gov

Send a letter to:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Offices of Hearings and Inquiries (OHI)
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S1-13-25
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Attn: CMS Alternate Format Team

Note: 

Your request for an auxiliary aid should include:

  • Your name, phone number, and the mailing address where we should send the publications.

  • The publication title and CMS Publication No., if available. 

  • The format you need, like Braille, large print, compact disc (CD), audio CD, or a qualified reader.