The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination by health care and human service providers that receive funds from DHHS. One such law is the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
What is the Age Discrimination Act?
The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 is a national law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Age Discrimination Act applies to persons of all ages. It does not cover employment discrimination. (The Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies specifically to employment practices and programs, both in the public and private sectors, and applies only to persons over age 40.)
The Age Discrimination Act and DHHS age regulation (which can be found at 45 CFR Part 91) do apply to each DHHS recipient. The Age Discrimination Act also contains certain exceptions that permit, under limited circumstances, use of age distinctions or factors other than age that may have a disproportionate effect on the basis of age. For example, the Age Discrimination Act does not apply to:
An age distinction contained in that part of a Federal, State or local statute or ordinance adopted by an elected, general purpose legislative body which:
How to File a Complaint with OCR
Complaints of age discrimination involving DHHS recipients and beneficiaries may be filed with OCR by an individual, a class, or by a third party, within 180 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act. (OCR may extend the 180-day period if good cause is shown.)
You may file online or if you mail the complaint, include the following information in your written complaint, or request a Discrimination Complaint Form from OCR:
Send the complaint to your OCR regional office or to the Washington, D.C. headquarters.
What Happens After You File an Age Discrimination Act Complaint?
Upon receipt, OCR screens all complaints and then refers those which describe actions covered by the Age Discrimination Act and contain the necessary information to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
Complainants and recipients are required to participate in the effort to reach a mutually satisfactory mediated settlement of the complaint. Unless extended, the FMCS mediation process will last no more than 60 days from the date a complaint is filed with OCR. OCR will take no further action on a complaint that has been successfully mediated. However, OCR will investigate complaints that are unresolved by the FMCS through mediation, or when cases are reopened because the mediation agreement is violated.
Private Lawsuits
A complainant may file a civil lawsuit 180 days from the date the complaint was file with OCR if DHHS has taken no action, or upon the date DHHS makes a determination in favor of the recipient, which ever comes first. However, no private suit is allowed if there is a pending action involving the same allegations and the same recipient. The complainant has the option either to file this civil action, if allowed, or to have OCR continue to pursue the complaint through administrative processes. Regardless of which option is chosen, OCR retains the right to continue its enforcement activities even if a private court suit is file.
If it is determined that your complaint is not within OCR's jurisdiction, OCR may forward it to an appropriate agency that may be able to help you.
Talk to an Attorney about Your Discrimination Claim
Age discrimination can occur in medical settings such as federally-funded health programs. This is especially troublesome because elderly individuals are generally more vulnerable and with greater risk for certain diseases. If you suspect that you were discriminated against due to your age, you should find out how to proceed. Talk to an attorney who deals with discrimination issues about possibly filing a claim.
