Xavier Becerra, Secretary and Deputy Secretary & Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/xavier-becerra.html https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/andrea-palm.html
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces laws that protect individuals against discrimination in health and human services based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability. Individuals cannot be denied health care coverage or treatment due to these characteristics in most health care services and programs.
OCR also enforces laws that protect the privacy and security of medical records.
Communication and Language
Individuals have the right to qualified translation and interpretation services that are free, accurate, timely, and protect their privacy. Medical providers must provide free interpretation; patients are not required to bring their own interpreter, pay for an interpreter, or rely on a child or family member. Patients have the right to access health care in-person or remotely through telehealth, websites, and mobile apps. If a patient has a disability, health care providers must communicate with them in a manner they can understand. For example, if a patient is hard of hearing, sign language interpretation must be provided.
Privacy and Access to Medical Records
Patients have the right to protections for their medical privacy and access to their medical records. They have the right to see and receive copies of their medical records. Health care providers and health plans generally may not share health information without written permission from the patient.
Filing a Complaint
If an individual believes they or someone else has been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or funds with federal financial assistance, they may file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights at: www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html.
Individuals are not required to reveal their immigration status to OCR investigators. OCR will not share personal details with employers, doctors, or health care providers without consent. Complaints can be filed on behalf of someone by a family member, advocacy organization, friend, or co-worker. OCR provides language assistance services free of charge.
To download this fact sheet click here (en español).
