Where the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Is Located and How to Reach It

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland

CMS, the federal agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, is based at 7500 Security Boulevard in Baltimore. This is the main office where policy decisions are made and where most of the national staff work. However, CMS operates through regional offices across the country, and the office you contact depends on what you need and where you live.

The Baltimore headquarters handles national policy, program oversight, and appeals that go beyond what regional offices can resolve. But for most Medicare questions — claims, coverage decisions, billing issues — you will not contact Baltimore directly. Instead, you will work with your regional CMS office, your Medicare contractor, or Medicare itself through 1-800-MEDICARE.

Key Takeaways

CMS headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, but you rarely contact it directly for Medicare questions.
CMS operates 10 regional offices across the United States, each serving multiple states.
For most Medicare issues, you contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or your Medicare contractor, not CMS.
CMS regional offices handle oversight and appeals that local Medicare contractors cannot resolve.
The CMS website (cms.gov) lists regional office addresses and phone numbers by state.

The 10 CMS Regional Offices and Which States They Serve

CMS divides the country into 10 regions, each with its own office. Your state belongs to one region, and that region's CMS office oversees Medicare and Medicaid in your area. The regions do not always follow state lines — some regions cover multiple states, and a few large states are split between regions.

Region 1 covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Region 2 covers New York and New Jersey. Region 3 covers Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Region 4 covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Region 5 covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Region 6 covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Region 7 covers Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Region 8 covers Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 9 covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Region 10 covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

When You Actually Need to Contact a CMS Regional Office

Most Medicare questions do not require contacting CMS at all. If you have a question about your Medicare benefits, a claim, or coverage, start with 1-800-MEDICARE. That number routes you to the right place — usually your Medicare contractor or the Medicare program itself — without you having to figure out which office handles what.

You contact a CMS regional office when a Medicare contractor has denied something and you want to appeal beyond what they can decide, or when you have a complaint about how a contractor is handling your case. You may also contact a regional office if you are a provider (a doctor, hospital, or supplier) and need to resolve a billing or coverage dispute with Medicare. For Medicaid questions, contact your state Medicaid office first; the CMS regional office handles oversight of state programs, not direct beneficiary questions.

How to Find Your Regional Office Contact Information

The easiest way to find your CMS regional office is to visit cms.gov and search for "regional offices" or "CMS regional office contact." The site lists all 10 offices with their mailing addresses, phone numbers, and the states each one serves. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask which CMS regional office covers your state — the representative will give you the direct number.

If you are looking for a specific department within a regional office — for example, the appeals unit or the Medicaid oversight team — ask when you call. Regional offices are large and have multiple departments, and the main number can transfer you to the right person. Have your state and the general topic of your question ready when you call.

What the Baltimore Headquarters Does

The main CMS office in Baltimore sets national Medicare and Medicaid policy, manages the budget, oversees the regional offices, and handles appeals that go beyond regional authority. It is also where the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and other advisory groups meet to recommend changes to how Medicare pays providers.

You would contact the Baltimore office only in rare cases — for example, if you are appealing a regional office decision or if you have a question about national policy that affects how Medicare operates. For nearly all beneficiary questions, the regional office or 1-800-MEDICARE is the right starting point.

CMS Online Resources Instead of Calling

Before you call any CMS office, check cms.gov and Medicare.gov. Both sites have searchable databases of coverage decisions, policy documents, and answers to common questions. You can also file a complaint about a Medicare contractor or provider through Medicare.gov without calling anyone.

If you need a specific policy document or want to see what CMS has decided about a coverage question, the CMS website has a searchable library. This is often faster than calling, and you get the official text rather than a summary from someone on the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the Baltimore CMS office directly with a Medicare question?

You can, but it is not the fastest route. The Baltimore office will likely transfer you to your regional office or to 1-800-MEDICARE. Start with 1-800-MEDICARE instead — it routes you directly to the right place for your question.

What is the difference between CMS and Medicare?

CMS is the federal agency that runs Medicare. Medicare is the health insurance program itself. When you have a Medicare claim or coverage question, you contact Medicare (through 1-800-MEDICARE or your insurance company). When you have a complaint about how Medicare is being run, you contact CMS.

Do I need to contact CMS if my Medicare claim was denied?

Not at first. Contact your Medicare contractor or insurance company and ask why the claim was denied. If you disagree with the denial, you can file an appeal with them. Only if that appeal is denied do you contact the CMS regional office to appeal further.

Is there a CMS office in my state?

CMS has 10 regional offices covering all 50 states, but not every state has its own office. Your state is part of one of the 10 regions. Visit cms.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find which regional office covers your state.

Can I visit a CMS office in person?

Regional offices do not typically have walk-in hours for beneficiaries. Contact the office by phone or mail to set up an appointment if you need to meet in person. For most questions, a phone call or online inquiry is faster.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.