Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Freedom 250 banner logo Join HHS in Celebrating Freedom 250
    • About HHS

      HHS is a U.S. executive department that touches the lives of nearly all Americans by protecting your rights, research, food safety, health care, aging, and much more.

      Explore About HHS
    • About the Department
      • Leadership
      • HHS Divisions
      • Organizational Chart
      • Priorities
      • Budget in Brief
      • Contact Us
    • Press Room
      • Press Releases
      • Request for Comment
      • Request for Interview
      • Connect on Social Media
      • HHS Live
      • Podcasts
    • Careers
      • Working at HHS
      • Opportunities for Attorneys
      • Join the Health Workforce
      • I am HHS
      • New Employee Orientation
      • Transportation Services
    • Standards and Compliance
      • Gold Standard Science
      • Accessibility
      • Plain Writing
      • Digital Communications Standards
      • Records Management
    • Accountability and Transparency
      • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
      • Open Government
      • No Fear Act
      • Privacy at HHS
  • RealFood.gov
  • MAHA
    • Programs & Services

      HHS is responsible for public health, health care, and human/social services for the United States of America. This includes administering over 100 programs and services.

      Explore Programs & Services
    • Health Care
      • Find a Health Center
      • Find an Indian Health Service Facility
      • Find Support for Mental Health, Drugs, or Alcohol
      • Find a Cancer Center
      • Dental Care Options
      • Telehealth
    • Health Insurance
      • Medicare – 65+ or With Disability
      • Medicaid - Low-Income, With Disability, or Pregnant
      • Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP)
      • Find Health Insurance Coverage
      • Insurance Help for Mental Health and Substance Use
      • No Surprise Medicals Bills
    • Social Services
      • Programs for Children and Families
      • Programs for People with Disabilities
      • Programs for Older Adults
      • Resources for Caregivers
    • Public Health and Prevention
      • Emergency Preparedness and Response
      • Healthy Lifestyle
      • Mental Health and Substance Use
      • Food Safety and Nutrition
      • Drug and Product Safety
    • Health Research and Information
      • National Library of Medicine
      • Surgeon General Reports
      • Health Data
      • National Center for Health Statistics
      • Medline Plus
      • Clinical Research Studies
      • Volunteering to Participate in Research
    • Laws & Regulations

      HHS protects and helps you understand the laws and regulations, also known as "rules," that govern the nation. You also have the power to voice your opinion on these laws and regulations.

      Explore Laws & Regulations
    • Regulatory Information
      • What is a Rule?
      • Find Rules by Division
      • Comment on Open Rules
      • Suggest Deregulatory Actions
      • Understand Key Federal Laws
    • Civil Rights
      • Your Civil Rights
      • Civil Rights Laws Enforced by HHS
      • Health Information Privacy
      • Substance Use Disorder Patient Confidentiality
      • Conscience and Religious Freedom
    • Laws and Regulations by Topic
      • HIPAA Privacy Rule
      • Health Insurance Protections
      • Health IT Legislation
      • Food and Drug Safety
      • Public Health Emergencies
    • Human Research Protections
      • The Belmont Report
      • Regulations, Policy, and Guidance
      • Human Subjects Regulations (45 CFR 46)
      • Register IRBs and Obtain FWAs
      • Trainings, Tutorials, and Workshops
      • International Research
    • Complaints and Appeals
      • File a Medicare Complaint
      • File a HIPAA Complaint
      • File a Civil Rights Complaint
      • Appeal an Insurance Company Decision
      • Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse to OIG
      • Report a Problem to the FDA
      • Report a Tip on the Chemical and Surgical Mutilation of Children
    • Grants & Contracts

      HHS gives the most money in grants of any federal agency in the U.S. Find out about our grants and how your organization can apply for them. We also provide information on how you can work with us and our support of small businesses.

      Explore Grants & Contracts
    • Grants
      • Get Ready for Grants Management
      • Grant Policies and Regulations
      • Research Grants and Funding from NIH
      • Search Grants.gov
      • Avoid Grant Scams
      • Contact HHS Grant Officials
    • Contracts
      • Get Ready to Do Business with HHS
      • Programs for Businesses
      • Contract Policies and Regulations
      • Search Opportunities on SAM.gov
      • Contact HHS Contracting Managers
    • Small Business
      • Contract Opportunities
      • Small Business Programs
      • Small Business Resources
      • Contact Small Business Staff
    • Radical Transparency

      HHS protects and helps you understand the laws and regulations, also known as "rules," that govern the nation. You also have the power to voice your opinion on these laws and regulations.

      Explore Radical Transparency
    • CDC’s ACIP Conflicts of Interest
    • Ending Anti-Semitism on College Campuses
    • Ending Wasteful Spending
    • Keeping Food Ingredients Safe
    • Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool
  • HIPAA for Individuals
  • Filing a Complaint
  • HIPAA for Professionals
  • Newsroom
Breadcrumb
  1. HHS
  2. HIPAA Home
  3. Filing a Health Information Privacy Complaint
  • Filing a Complaint
    • Complaint Process
    • File a Complaint Online
    • What to Expect
    • File a Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint

Filing a Health Information Privacy Complaint

You may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) if you believe:

  • A HIPAA covered entity or its business associate violated your (or someone else’s) health information privacy rights or committed another violation of the Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules.
  • A substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program violated your confidentiality rights under 42 CFR part 2 (called “Part 2”).

OCR can investigate health information privacy complaints against covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, or health care providers that conduct certain transactions electronically) and their business associates. OCR can also investigate complaints of Part 2 violations against a Part 2 program or its qualified service organization; a lawful holder of Part 2 records, such as a HIPAA covered entity or its business associate; or another person holding Part 2 records.

Complaint Process

Anyone can file a complaint if they believe there has been a violation of the HIPAA Rules or Part 2. Learn what you'll need to submit your complaint online or in writing.

File a Complaint Online

File your HIPAA or Part 2 complaint electronically via the OCR Complaint Portal.

Filing a Patient Safety Confidentiality Complaint

Read about the Patient Safety Confidentiality Act and Rule and how to file a complaint online or in writing.

What to Expect

Learn how OCR investigates your complaint and what happens after the investigation is complete.

Content last reviewed February 13, 2026
Back to top
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Follow @SecKennedy

HHS icon

Follow @HHSGov

HHS Email updates

Receive email updates from HHS.

Subscribe

HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​

  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Press Room
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy