The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

Medicare services fall under the jusrisdiction of HHS and information on the program may be obtained at the Medicare web site listed to the right. Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). To see if you are eligible, please contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or visit their web site listed to the right.

If you have general questions about Medicare and the benefits provided, such as how to apply, what is covered, comparing different plans, or to get general information, please visit the Medicare web site or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Please send the Privacy Act waiver, which you can complete and print in Step Two, to my state office that is nearest to you. Be sure to sign the document and include your address and daytime phone number.