MyChart is an online patient portal that gives you access to health information from a healthcare tools that are free to use. Through MyChart, you may be able to view test results, medications, appointments, health summaries, clinical notes, messages, and other information made available by your healthcare provider.
MyChart is designed to give you a more convenient way to stay connected with your healthcare team and take an active role in managing your care. The exact features you see depend on the healthcare organization you receive care from.
What Is MyChart Used For?
You can use MyChart for many common healthcare tasks. Depending on your healthcare organization, you may be able to:
- View laboratory and other test results
- Review your medications and instructions
- Check upcoming and previous appointments
- Read clinical notes that your provider has shared
- Send messages to your healthcare team
- Request medication refills
- Complete electronic check-in before an appointment
- View after-visit summaries
- Review certain health records and documents
- Manage some billing and insurance information
- Manage authorized access to a family member’s account
These features are not free everywhere. Your healthcare organization decides which MyChart functions it makes available free for all patients.
How Does MyChart Work?
MyChart connects your online account with the electronic health record maintained by your healthcare organization.
When you receive care from a participating organization, information from your medical record can become available in MyChart. You can then sign in through the organization’s MyChart website or mobile and view information and understand your test results easily.
Think of MyChart as a window into your healthcare information rather than a separate medical record. The information you see comes from your healthcare provider’s electronic medical record system.
What Can You See in MyChart?
The information available to you depends on your healthcare organization, but MyChart can include several types of health information.
Test Results
MyChart can allow you to view results from laboratory tests and other medical tests. You may also receive a notification when a new result becomes available.
Some organizations allow you to look at previous results and compare information over time.
Remember that seeing a result does not necessarily tell you what it means for your individual health. Your doctor considers your symptoms, medical history, examination, and other information when interpreting a result.
Medications
Depending on your healthcare organization’s setup, MyChart can show your medication list and instructions. You may also be able to request prescription refills or manage pharmacy information.
Do not start, stop, or change a prescription simply because of information you see in an online portal. Discuss medication changes with your healthcare professional.
Appointments
MyChart can help you manage healthcare appointments. Depending on the organization, you may be able to schedule or request appointments, view appointment details, complete electronic check-in, and see instructions for an upcoming visit.
Clinical Notes and Visit Summaries
Some healthcare organizations make clinical notes and after-visit summaries available through MyChart. These records can help you review what happened during a visit and remember instructions from your care team.
Messages
Many MyChart systems allow you to communicate with your healthcare team through secure messaging. The type of message you can send and the expected response time depend on your healthcare organization.
MyChart messaging is intended for appropriate healthcare communication, not for situations that require immediate medical attention.
Can MyChart Help You Manage Your Health?
Yes. MyChart can bring different parts of your healthcare information together in one place.
For example, you may be able to review your health summary, medications, allergies, immunizations, test results, appointments, and other information through your account. Some organizations also support health tracking and connections with selected health apps and devices.
Having this information available online can make it easier for you to prepare for appointments and keep track of your care.
Can You Use MyChart on a Phone?
Yes. MyChart can be accessed through a web browser, and the MyChart mobile is available.
The features available on your phone can vary depending on your healthcare organization.
How Do You Get a MyChart Account?
You need to receive access through a healthcare organization that uses MyChart.
Your organization may give you an activation code or allow you to complete online self-sign-up. The sign-up process includes steps to verify your identity. You can also use the MyChart mobile app if your organization supports it.
If you are unsure whether your hospital or clinic offers MyChart, contact that organization or use the official MyChart organization search.
Do All Healthcare Organizations Offer the Same MyChart Features?
No.
This is important to understand when you use MyChart. The portal may look different from one healthcare organization to another, and some features may not be available everywhere.
For example, one organization may allow online appointment scheduling while another may require you to contact the office. One organization may release certain clinical notes or results through MyChart while another may use different procedures.
Your healthcare organization controls the information and features available in your account.
Can You Use One MyChart Login for Multiple Organizations?
MyChart Central allows eligible patients to connect MyChart accounts from participating organizations and access them using ID. This can make it easier to manage healthcare information when you receive care from more than one participating organization.
Not every healthcare organization participates in every MyChart connection feature, so availability depends on the organizations involved.
Can MyChart Connect Information From Different Healthcare Organizations?
Some participating healthcare organizations can share health information through Epic’s interoperability features.
For example, MyChart’s Happy Together feature can bring certain information from participating organizations into a centralized view. Depending on the connection, this can include allergies, medications, health issues, visits, care-team information, messages, and test results.
The information available depends on the participating healthcare organizations and the connections they support.
Can Family Members Use MyChart?
MyChart supports authorized free access for patients.
For example, an authorized person may be able to help manage healthcare information for a child or another family member. The level of access depends on the type of proxy relationship and the policies of the healthcare organization.
This does not mean that another person automatically gets access to your account. Access must be established through the appropriate process.
Can MyChart Show Your Complete Medical Record?
Not.
MyChart gives you access to information that your healthcare organization makes available through the portal. It should not automatically be assumed that every piece of information in your complete medical record will appear in the same way.
MyChart describes health information for patients to see information from their provider’s electronic medical record. Your healthcare organization remains responsible for your medical record and can tell you how to request information that is not available through the portal.
Is MyChart a Medical Diagnosis Tool?
No.
MyChart is primarily a health education portal. It gives you access to health information and tools that can help you communicate with your healthcare team and manage aspects of your care.
A test result shown in MyChart does not provide a diagnosis by itself. Your healthcare professional interprets medical information in the context of your overall health.
If you are concerned about a result, symptom, medication, or diagnosis, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Why Do People Use MyChart?
People use MyChart because it can make everyday healthcare tasks easier to manage online.
Instead of relying only on paper records or phone calls, you may be able to check your results, review appointments, read information from your care team, manage certain requests, and keep track of parts of your health information from one account.
The exact experience depends on your healthcare organization, but the central purpose is simple: to give you convenient access to your healthcare information and a digital connection with your care team.
How MyChart Can Help You Prepare for a Doctor’s Visit
You can use the information available in MyChart to prepare for an appointment.
Before your visit, you might review:
- Recent test results
- Your current medication list
- Previous visit summaries
- Upcoming appointment details
- Questions you want to ask your healthcare professional
- Relevant information from previous visits
You can then discuss anything you do not understand with your healthcare team.
This can help you become a more informed participant in your own healthcare without trying to replace professional medical advice.
What Should You Do If You Cannot Find Something in MyChart?
First, check whether your healthcare organization normally provides that type of information through MyChart.
If you still cannot find what you need, contact your healthcare organization’s MyChart support team or medical records department. They can explain whether the information is available, when it may become available, or how you can request it.
Do not assume that a missing result means that your healthcare provider has not received it.
What Is the Difference Between MyChart and a Hospital’s Website?
A hospital website and MyChart serve different purposes.
A hospital website usually provides general information about the organization, doctors, services, locations, contact details, and appointments.
MyChart is a personalized patient portal. After you sign in, you may see information connected to your own healthcare record, such as test results, medications, appointments, messages, and visit information.
In simple terms:
Hospital website = general information about the healthcare organization.
MyChart = your personalized online connection to participating healthcare knowledge and information.
Is MyChart Secure?
MyChart is designed as a secure way for healthcare organizations to provide patients with access to their health information. Your healthcare organization manages your account and the health information stored in its electronic medical record system.
You should still protect your account by using a strong, private password or the available secure login options and by avoiding sharing your login credentials.
If you receive a suspicious message or are unsure whether a website is an official MyChart login page, verify the website through your healthcare organization rather than entering your account information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MyChart mean?
MyChart is a patient portal that gives patients online access to health information and healthcare services provided through participating healthcare organizations using Epic.
Is MyChart the same at every hospital?
No. Mychart is a healthcare educational purpose platform where you can understand your health test results .
Can I see my blood test results in MyChart?
You may be able to see laboratory results through MyChart when your healthcare organization makes them available. The timing and types of results shown can vary.
Can I see my medications in MyChart?
Many MyChart accounts include medication information. Depending on your organization, you may also be able to request refills and manage pharmacy information.
Can I schedule an appointment through MyChart?
Many participating organizations offer appointment scheduling or appointment requests through MyChart. The available options depend on the healthcare organization.
Can I message my doctor through MyChart?
Many organizations allow patients to communicate with their care teams through MyChart messaging. The types of messages and response times vary.
Can MyChart replace my doctor?
No. MyChart is a digital patient portal. It does not replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
Final Thoughts
MyChart gives you a convenient way to stay connected with your healthcare websites and access health information online. Depending on where you receive care, you may use it to review test results, medications, appointments, clinical notes, messages, health summaries, and other available records.
The most important thing to remember is that MyChart is a health education portal, not a replacement for your healthcare professional. Your medical information needs to be understood in the context of your individual health.
MyChart can help you learn about general health topics and understand common medical terms and measurements, while your healthcare team remains the best source for questions about your personal health and medical care.