Government Agencies

Administration on Aging
Department of Health and Human Services
330 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
(202)401-4541;
Fax (202)401-7741
www.aoa.dhhs.gov

The Administration on Aging is the Federal focal point and advocacy agency for older persons. Under the Older Americans Act, the AoA works closely with its nationwide network of State and Area agencies on Aging and service providers to plan, coordinate, and develop community-level systems of services that help vulnerable older persons to remain in their own homes by providing supportive services and other programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore
MD 21244-1850
(410) 786-3000
www.cms.gov

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS runs the Medicare and Medicaid programs - two national health care programs that benefit about 75 million Americans. And with the Health Resources and Services Administration, CMS runs the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program that is expected to cover many of the approximately 10 million uninsured children in the United States.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
P.O. Box 340
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 786-3000
www.cms.hhs.gov

This is the federal agency that administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The site provides information about the two programs, laws and regulations, and statistics. You can also download a variety of publications and forms, including information on choosing a Medigap policy, Medicare managed care, and choosing a nursing home. Another useful feature is the ability to find program contacts in your state.

National Institute on Aging
Public Information Office
Building 31, Room 5027
31 Center Drive MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892-2292
(301) 496-1752;
Fax (301) 496-1072
www.nih.gov/nia

The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the Federal Government's principal agency for conducting and supporting biomedical, social and behavioral research related to aging processes and the diseases of older people.

Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
(410) 965-7700
www.socialsecurity.gov

The Social Security Administration is the Federal Government agency responsible for the Social Security retirement, survivors benefits and disability insurance program, as well as the Supplemental Security Income (SS) program.