How to get proxy access to your parent's patient portal
Many health systems let a family member see a parent's patient portal, often MyChart, through the family member's own login. It is called proxy access. Here is how it usually works, what five health systems publish, and why using your parent's password is not the way in.
Last checked against the sources below: October 23, 2026.
What is proxy access?
Proxy access links your own portal account to your parent's record. Cleveland Clinic says proxy access is the only way for one person to see another person's health information in its MyChart, even with a power of attorney [1]. Michigan Medicine says each adult must set up their own account and uses proxy access by logging into that account, not the patient's [2]. Denver Health's form has the proxy agree to log in with their own user name and password [5].
So don't use your parent's login, even with their blessing. Messages a proxy sends through the portal become part of your parent's medical record [2][5], and your own account makes clear who wrote them.
If your parent can manage their own care: an invitation
The usual route is an invitation from your parent's own account. At Cleveland Clinic, Michigan Medicine, Yale New Haven Health and Premier Health, your parent goes to the portal's Sharing Hub and sends you an invitation [1][2][3][4], which arrives by email at the systems that describe that step [1][2][4]. You accept from your own account, creating one if needed; Cleveland Clinic and Premier ask you to confirm your parent's date of birth [1][4].
If your parent doesn't use the portal, these systems publish paper or downloadable forms your parent can sign instead [1][2][3][4].
Some systems let your parent choose how much you see. Premier lists Full Access, Clinical Only, and Scheduling and Messaging Only [4]. Cleveland Clinic says an adult-to-adult proxy can't make changes to the account unless given added permission [1].
If your parent can't manage their care: POA or guardianship papers
When your parent can't sign or use the portal, the person with legal authority applies and sends proof. What five health systems publish:
| Health system | What it asks for |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Clinic | A paper caregiver form sent to Health Data Services, with copies of court documents or power-of-attorney paperwork [1] |
| Michigan Medicine | An online request form for a legal guardian or DPOA (durable power of attorney) of another adult patient [2] |
| Yale New Haven Health | Its Adult Access Authorization form; anyone signing for the patient must attach legal documentation, such as a power of attorney for health care, conservatorship or guardianship papers [3] |
| Premier Health | Its Adult Proxy Form plus documentation of legal guardianship; this kind of access can't be granted by the patient through MyChart [4] |
| Denver Health | Photo ID plus a copy of the guardianship or conservatorship papers, or of the medical durable power of attorney [5] |
Notice the differences: Premier's page names guardianship, while others also name powers of attorney. Under HIPAA, someone with legal authority to make health care decisions for an adult, such as a health care power of attorney or a court-appointed guardian, is treated as that adult's personal representative [6]. Each system's own form still decides what it will accept for portal access. Our guide to getting your parent's medical records covers the HIPAA side.
Does proxy access expire?
Often, yes. What the same systems say about adult proxy access:
| Health system | When adult proxy access ends |
|---|---|
| Premier Health | Two years from the date it is granted; it can be renewed [4] |
| Denver Health | 3 years from the date the form is signed, unless otherwise specified; a new form is needed after that [5] |
| Yale New Haven Health | When the patient asks in writing, on an expiration date the patient chose, or when the patient revokes it in MyChart [3] |
| Michigan Medicine | The patient can remove a proxy at any time, effective immediately [2] |
| Cleveland Clinic | Proxies get an automatic message with details about when access ends [1] |
Denver Health's form also requires a proxy acting under legal authority to tell it in writing right away if that authority is revoked, terminated or expires [5]. Put any renewal date in your calendar the day access is approved.
How long does setup take?
Cleveland Clinic says electronic requests usually take three business days or less and paper caregiver forms one to two weeks [1]. Premier says a request may take up to three business days to appear in MyChart [4].
Before you start: a checklist
- Your own portal account at that health system (most of these systems require one) [1][2][5]
- Your parent's full name, date of birth, and medical record number if you have it (Denver Health's form asks for it) [5]
- A copy of the power of attorney or guardianship papers, if your parent can't sign
- Photo ID, if the form asks for it [5]
- One request per health system, and one form per proxy where required (Cleveland Clinic asks for separate forms for each proxy) [1]
- The expiration date, written down once access is approved
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, "MyChart Record Sharing" (no date shown; read October 23, 2026).
- University of Michigan Health (Michigan Medicine), "View Health Information of Another Adult" (no date shown; read October 23, 2026).
- Yale New Haven Health System, "MyChart Proxy Access" (no date shown; read October 23, 2026).
- Premier Health, "MyChart Proxy Access" (no date shown; read October 23, 2026).
- Denver Health and Hospital Authority, "MyChart Adult Proxy Access Request Form," F61-532 (form dated 3/26; read October 23, 2026).
- HHS Office for Civil Rights, "Personal Representatives" (content last reviewed January 5, 2024; read October 23, 2026).
General information to help you organize, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules change and individual situations differ: check the official source, the notice you received, or a qualified professional. Starry Night is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, CMS, HHS or any health system.