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What Families Should Know About MyChart Proxy Access at Age 18
If your child is approaching age 18, now is the time to plan for changes to healthcare privacy, decision-making and MyChart access.
At age 18, a patient becomes a legal adult, and the way parents or caregivers access the patient’s health information may change.
After a patient turns 18, parents and caregivers no longer automatically have access to an adult patient’s MyChart account. The adult patient must authorize access, or the caregiver must provide legal documentation of their role in the patient’s care.
Starting the transition process early can help your family understand the options, complete necessary paperwork and avoid an unexpected interruption to healthcare access.
This information might be helpful for:
- Teens and young adults preparing to manage their own healthcare
- Parents, guardians and caregivers
- Families of patients who will continue to need help managing their healthcare into adulthood
What changes about healthcare and privacy at age 18?
When a patient turns 18, pediatric MyChart access ends and adult access requirements apply. Parents and caregivers cannot continue using the patient’s account unless the adult patient authorizes proxy access or appropriate legal documentation supports continued access.
The right pathway depends on the patient’s needs and ability to make healthcare decisions.
Talk with your care team as early as possible to review MyChart access options and determine whether additional paperwork may be needed.
When to begin planning the transition to adult care
Every patient’s needs are different. Use this timeline as a guide and talk with the patient’s care team about the support that may be appropriate.
Ages 14 to 15: Start the conversation
The early teen years are a good time to help patients become more involved in their healthcare.
With your support, your child can practice advocating for their healthcare needs and gradually build independence.
Building confidence now can make future healthcare decisions feel less overwhelming as adulthood approaches.
With the help of a parent or caregiver, pediatric patients can begin to:
- Learn about their health conditions
- Practice explaining their health history
- Spend one-on-one time with their doctor and ask questions
- Talk with family members about the support they may want in the future
Ages 16 to 17: Make a plan
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As age 18 approaches, patients and families should begin planning for changes in healthcare privacy, decision-making and MyChart access.
Starting these conversations early provides time to explore available options and complete any needed paperwork.
Patients and their families can:
- Review the changes to MyChart access and care that are coming at age 18
- Identify a trusted adult who can provide support, if needed
- Explore options such as proxy access, healthcare power of attorney, guardianship or conservatorship
- Begin gathering and completing any necessary paperwork
Ages 18 to 21: Put the plan into action
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Young adulthood is the time to put transition plans into practice.
Depending on the patient's needs, this may include managing their healthcare independently or establishing appropriate support and legal arrangements.
Young adults can work toward:
- Taking a more active role in managing appointments, medications and healthcare decisions
- Using their adult MyChart account and granting proxy access if desired
- Taking time to ensure they fully understand their health insurance
- Moving from pediatric to adult providers when appropriate
- Completing and sharing any legal documents needed
MyChart proxy access in early adulthood
When a patient turns 18, any existing parental proxy access ends, and the patient manages their own MyChart account. Adult patients who can make their own decisions may choose to give a trusted adult proxy access.
Proxy access allows another adult to view a patient’s healthcare information, schedule appointments and see test results.
Proxy access does not automatically give someone legal authority to make healthcare decisions for another adult, and the patient is still in control of their own healthcare decisions.
When young adult patients need additional support
Parents, guardians or caregivers can request proxy access if a young patient can’t grant proxy access on their own.
The caregiver must provide legal documentation such as guardianship, conservatorship or healthcare power of attorney that gives them proper authority.
Legal requirements and terminology can vary by state, so families should begin this process as soon as possible and seek qualified legal guidance when needed. Waiting too long to get started can disrupt access to the patient’s healthcare information.
If documentation is verified before a patient turns 18, then proxy access won’t automatically expire.
How to get started
If you’re ready to start preparing for a patient’s transition to adulthood, you should talk to your provider.
Your family’s provider or pediatrician know their healthcare needs and can help you understand your options or next steps.
Talk to your teen’s provider about adult healthcare options early to make sure you’re prepared.
Frequently asked questions about proxy access for patients turning 18
Parents do not automatically keep proxy access after a child turns 18. If desired, the adult patient may grant access to a parent or another trusted adult. If the patient cannot authorize access independently, a caregiver may need to submit legal documentation supporting continued access.
An adult patient can invite a parent, caregiver or another trusted adult through the Sharing Hub in MyChart. The person receiving access uses their own MyChart account and login information.
In some situations, caregivers may need to provide legal documentation, such as a healthcare power of attorney, guardianship or conservatorship paperwork.
No. MyChart proxy access allows someone to view or help manage permitted information and features in MyChart. It does not, by itself, give that person legal authority to make healthcare decisions for another adult. Decision-making authority may require a separate legal arrangement, depending on the patient’s situation.
The right option depends on the young adult’s needs and ability to make their own decisions. Support may include MyChart proxy access, supported decision-making, healthcare power of attorney, guardianship or conservatorship. These options provide different types and levels of support. Talk with the patient’s healthcare team and seek qualified legal guidance when appropriate.
Talk with the patient’s healthcare team as soon as possible. Ask what documentation is needed and whether any access may be available while the legal process is underway. Do not share passwords, verification codes or another person’s MyChart account.
Need help with MyChart access?
If you have any questions about MyChart, proxy access or managing care online, you can contact our team via email at mychartcentral@balladhealth.org or call (866) 517-5873.