[3 MIN READ]

In this article:

• MyChart proxy access gives designated caregivers the ability to schedule appointments, view test results, communicate with providers and more.

• Designating a proxy caregiver can be done easily online.

• Choosing a trusted health care decision maker early means you’ll always have someone to help you manage your medical care, conditions and medications as you age.

Your guide to MyChart proxy access

Patients at all Providence locations can use MyChart to manage their medical records, communicate with their providers, schedule appointments online and check lab results. November is National Family Caregivers Month and a great time to talk about the benefits of adult patients giving MyChart access to a trusted health partner and decision-maker (such as a spouse, child or family friend). Granting MyChart proxy access can ensure that you continue to receive the highest level of care if you need additional support managing your health care needs. It’s something that is particularly important for patients over the age of 65, or people with cognitive difficulties, to consider.

Marianne Parshley, M.D., internal medicine physician and MyChart proxy access advocate at Providence, shares more about the importance of designating a health care decision-maker early on and the simple steps you can take to grant them MyChart proxy access.

“It’s been my experience that patients with a strong support network often have improved outcomes and are more likely to take their medications as prescribed,” says Dr. Parshley. “As we age, managing day-to-day activities can be a challenge and keeping track of medical appointments and medications can be crucial to maintaining a high quality of life for longer.”

What is MyChart proxy access?

Patients who grant a trusted health care partner proxy access to their MyChart account give their friend or family member shared access to their medical information and the ability to:

• Schedule medical appointments.
• View upcoming appointments.
• Review health information such as test results.
• Send messages to a patient’s health care provider.
• Order prescription refills.
• Pay bills online.

“My husband and I share proxy access through MyChart and I was also a designated caregiver for my aging parents,” says Dr. Parshley. “Having easy, online access to help manage and coordinate care for my loved ones made a real difference.”

Who should consider designating proxy access?

Dr. Parshley says that while anyone can designate a proxy at any time through MyChart, it’s especially important for people 65 and older to share access with a caregiver or someone they trust to help manage their care if needed.

“It’s important for people to make these decisions ahead of time and to grant proxy access to a caregiver or loved one while they can,” says Dr. Parshley. “It can be difficult to predict when or if someone might need to make medical decisions on your behalf, so I encourage my patients to consider ahead of time who they trust with that role.”

Because caregivers with proxy access can communicate with a patient’s care team, they can send agendas for patient appointments and bring up concerns about a patient’s health, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, falls or social isolation.

How shared MyChart access works at Providence

Once a patient has selected the person or people they want to give proxy access to, they can complete the process in a few easy steps by visiting www.providence.org/MyChart.

• Go to your personal MyChart account and select “share my record” from the main menu. You can grant proxy access through the “invite friends and family” section. Select “invite someone” and enter a few basic details for yourself.
• Once your designated proxy receives the invitation via email, they follow the link and provide your date of birth, review and accept the privacy policy and the invitation. You now have shared access to your MyChart account.

Once you have access to more than one MyChart account, you can easily toggle between accounts. Options to select color coding and customizable photos can help you keep track of whose medical record you are in.

“Something to keep in mind is that even if you have proxy access to your spouse or parent’s account, you don’t have to use it,” says Dr. Parshley. “But in planning ahead, you’ve crossed this decision off your list and everyone understands their role going forward.”

The benefits of shared MyChart access

One of the biggest benefits of proxy access through MyChart is the chance for loved ones and caregivers to help manage an aging relative’s care, even if they don’t live nearby. Dr. Parshley says that she often finds working with a patient’s children or younger relatives to be very helpful because they often ask questions that help clarify medical conditions and coordinate better care, as well as assist with managing medications and patient care plans.

“Many of our aging patients are a part of what we call the ‘Silent Generation’,” says Dr. Parshley. “They don’t want to bother anyone, including their physician. That’s why having someone they trust available to aid communication and help manage appointments and medications can be such a help.”

Contributing caregiver

Marianne Parshley, M.D., is an internal medicine physician at Providence.

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Related resources

Watch: Step-by-step instructions to share MyChart proxy access

The challenges of aging in place

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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.