The Short Answer: No, but You Can Control Access
While you cannot hide or permanently delete specific medical results from your own MyChart account after they have been posted, you have significant control over who else can view your information. The most important privacy control at your disposal is managing proxy access, which allows another individual to view your medical record. Your healthcare provider can also, under specific circumstances, delay the release of certain results to the portal at your request.
Controlling Information with Proxy Access
Proxy access is the primary method for sharing your MyChart information with family members or caregivers. It is also the main way you can restrict access to your results. Different levels of proxy access may exist depending on your healthcare organization, and you can revoke this access at any time.
Types of Proxy Access
Healthcare organizations often offer different levels of proxy access to fit various needs, as seen in the comparison table below. You should familiarize yourself with your provider's specific proxy policy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Revoking Proxy Access
If you need to cut off a family member's access to your medical record, you can follow these general steps directly within your MyChart account:
- Log in to your MyChart account.
- Navigate to the "Your Menu" section, typically found on the homepage or in a top menu.
- Find and select the "Share My Record" option.
- Click on "Friends and family access" or a similarly labeled option.
- Find the name of the person whose access you wish to revoke.
- Click the "Revoke" button next to their name.
- Confirm the revocation when prompted.
Options for Delaying Immediate Release
Under the 21st Century Cures Act, most test results must be released to you immediately upon finalization. However, there are exceptions. If you prefer to discuss sensitive results directly with your provider first, you can ask them to delay the electronic release. This requires a specific patient request and a discussion with your care team before the test is ordered. Some health systems, like Johns Hopkins, now offer a direct option in MyChart settings to delay results until a provider has reviewed them.
How to Request a Delay for Specific Results
- When your provider orders a specific lab or test, inform them that you would like to discuss the results in person or over the phone before they are released to MyChart.
- Your provider must document this request. This action is one of the legal exceptions to the information blocking rules.
- The delay is temporary and intended for a more personal discussion. Results cannot be indefinitely withheld from you as the patient.
Important Distinction: Hiding vs. Withholding
It's crucial to understand the difference between hiding a result from your own view and having a result temporarily withheld from your portal. The core distinction is:
- Hiding: A patient cannot hide a result from their own view in MyChart. The portal is a direct window into your legal medical record, and removing information would be a form of erasure. Medical records are legal documents and cannot be simply deleted by a patient.
- Withholding: A provider, based on a patient's request, can delay the automatic electronic release of a result to the portal. Once the provider discusses the result with you, it will be released to MyChart.
How Your Healthcare Provider Handles Privacy
For certain highly sensitive medical information, special state and federal laws may apply. For instance, laws governing the privacy of minors, particularly regarding reproductive health, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted infections, may restrict or limit proxy access to these specific results. Your healthcare provider's policies are designed to comply with these regulations. Some systems even have a "break the glass" procedure for emergencies, flagging any unauthorized access attempts.
Comparison of MyChart Privacy Controls
| Feature | Patient's Direct Account | Proxy Access (Adult) | Proxy Access (Minor 13-17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| View Test Results | Full access to all results upon release, unless a delay is requested. | Access depends on proxy type; some have full access, others have limited or no access to sensitive results. | Limited or no access to sensitive results due to state and federal confidentiality laws. |
| View Provider Notes | Full access under the Cures Act, unless withheld by provider for specific, documented reasons. | Access depends on the patient's proxy settings and local laws. | Access to certain notes may be limited to protect teen confidentiality. |
| Request Withholding | Can request a provider to delay release of specific results. | Cannot request on behalf of an adult patient without their consent and authority. | Parent or legal guardian may have different rules, but ultimate decision rests with patient for sensitive info. |
| Revoke Access | Can revoke proxy access at any time through account settings. | Cannot revoke patient's own access. | Patient can revoke access once they reach a certain age, often 18. |
Conclusion: Proactive Communication is Key
While you cannot unilaterally and permanently hide results from your own MyChart record, you possess control over who can view your information. By proactively managing proxy access and having direct conversations with your care team, you can manage your health information privacy. Remember that MyChart is a tool for transparency, and federal law, guided by HIPAA and the Cures Act, requires prompt access to your own health data. The most effective strategy is to communicate your preferences clearly with your healthcare provider to ensure a comfortable and informed healthcare experience. For additional patient rights information, consult the official U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Lists and Summaries
Takeaways for MyChart Results Privacy
- Proxy Control is Your Main Lever: The most direct way to control who sees your results is by revoking or limiting proxy access for family members or caregivers.
- Requests Require Provider Action: To delay the immediate release of a specific result to your portal, you must discuss it with your provider before the test and have them document the request.
- Sensitive Information is Protected: Special state and federal laws protect certain sensitive information (e.g., related to mental health or STIs), which may automatically be hidden from proxies.
- No Hiding from Yourself: You cannot delete or hide a result from your own view within the MyChart portal once it is legally a part of your medical record.
- Security is Your Responsibility: Protect your account by using strong, unique passwords and a personal device to ensure no one accesses your private health information without your permission.
- Communication is Critical: For sensitive matters, speaking directly with your provider about your preferences for receiving results is the most reliable method.
Key Concepts
- 21st Century Cures Act: Federal legislation requiring healthcare providers to give patients prompt electronic access to their health information.
- Information Blocking: Actions that interfere with, prevent, or discourage access to electronic health information. Most actions that withhold information from a patient are considered information blocking, except under specific legal exceptions.
- Proxy Access: A feature that allows an individual (the proxy) to access and manage another person's MyChart account, with their explicit permission.
- Patient Request Exception: A legal exception under the Cures Act where a provider can temporarily delay the release of a result if the patient explicitly requests it.
- Unreasonable Risk of Harm: Another legal exception where a provider can withhold information if they have a reasonable belief that releasing it would pose a substantial risk of physical harm to the patient or others, but not for emotional or psychological distress.
- HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which provides federal protections for patient health information.
Managing Your Privacy
How to Manage Your Health Data
- Assess Your Proxy Relationships: Regularly review who has proxy access to your account and revoke it if no longer necessary.
- Talk to Your Clinician: For sensitive tests, have a pre-emptive conversation with your doctor about how you want to receive the results. This is the most reliable way to avoid surprises.
- Understand Organizational Policies: Be aware that MyChart features can differ between healthcare systems. Check with your specific provider's help desk or FAQ for their exact privacy policies regarding results.
The Importance of Privacy Management
Maintaining control over your medical information is crucial for your personal privacy and health. A clear understanding of how MyChart functions and your rights as a patient allows you to make informed decisions about who, and when, others have access to your sensitive health data. By actively using the available tools, you can ensure your health information is handled in a way that respects your personal comfort and confidentiality.
