Request Records

Loading...

Records Access Guide

Patient Portals: What They Can (and Can't) Do

A directory of major patient portals, how to access them, and what to do when the portal doesn't have what you need.

25+ Major Portals HIPAA-Secure Updated February 2026

D

Durjoy BhattacharjyaFounder & CEOHealthcare Technology

What is a patient portal and what can I access?

A patient portal is a secure online tool that lets you view your health records from a specific provider — lab results, visit notes, medications, immunizations, and more. Access is available 24/7 from any device. Most major health systems use either Epic's MyChart, athenahealth, or FollowMyHealth.

Important limitation: portals only show records from their own health system. Records from other providers, older records predating digitization, and certified copies for legal use require a formal HIPAA records request.

What Patient Portals Can't Do

Portals are useful but have real limits. They cannot:

Access records from a different health system (portals are silo'd)
Provide records predating their digitization window (often 2010–2015)
Give you records from providers who use a different EHR
Certify or authenticate records for legal use
Consolidate records from multiple hospitals into one view

When the portal isn't enough, submit a formal HIPAA Right of Access request. Providers must respond within 30 days and must provide your complete record — not just what's in the portal. We handle this for $50.

Major Patient Portal Directory

MyChart (Epic)

Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, Stanford Health, Mayo Clinic, and 300+ others

The most widely-used portal in the U.S. If you've been to a major hospital system since 2015, you likely have a MyChart account.

Lab resultsVisit notes (21st Century Cures)MessagingSchedulingPrescription refills

MyHealth (athenahealth)

Independent practices and smaller health systems across all 50 states

Common at independent physician practices. Access through your provider's specific patient portal link.

Visit summariesLab resultsCare gapsSecure messagingBill pay

FollowMyHealth

Allscripts-based health systems and regional hospital networks

Used by many community hospitals and physician groups. Supports Apple Health and Google Fit integration.

Medical historyMedicationsImmunizationsLab resultsAppointments

MyQuest (Quest Diagnostics)

Quest Diagnostics lab patients nationwide

Specific to Quest lab work. Results appear faster here than in many hospital portals.

Lab results in 1–3 daysHistorical test historyHealth trendsShare with providers

LabCorp Patient

LabCorp patients nationwide

Specific to LabCorp lab work. Results typically available within 1–2 days of processing.

Lab resultsTest historyInsurance claimsAppointment scheduling

MyMercy / Mercy Patient Portal

Mercy Health system patients (Midwest and South)

Regional to Mercy Health network. Strong telehealth integration.

Visit recordsImaging resultsSecure messagingTelehealth

MyBaystate

Baystate Health (Western Massachusetts)

Example of a regional Epic-based portal with a custom name. Many local health systems use Epic under a branded name.

Test resultsVisit notesMedicationsScheduling

VA My HealtheVet

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs patients

The VA's Blue Button allows full record downloads in PDF or text format — one of the most comprehensive portal exports available.

VA health recordsPrescriptionsSecure messagingCommunity Care recordsBlue Button download

How to Get Portal Access

1
Get your activation code
Ask your provider's front desk for an activation code at your next visit, or look for an invitation email after registration. Many systems also allow self-enrollment.
2
Create your account
Go to your provider's portal URL (not a generic one — your provider's specific link). Enter your activation code, date of birth, and create a username and password.
3
Enable two-factor authentication
Set up 2FA immediately. Your portal contains sensitive health information. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS when given the option.
4
Download your records
Look for a "Download My Data" or "Health Records" section. Under federal law (21st Century Cures Act), you're entitled to your visit notes, labs, and more — often in FHIR format that works with Apple Health or CommonHealth.

Mobile Health Record Apps

Apple HealthiOS

Aggregates records from hundreds of FHIR-compatible providers. Go to Health → Medical Records → Add Account.

CommonHealthAndroid

Open-source Android equivalent of Apple Health. Connects to Epic, Cerner, athenahealth, and more.

MyChart MobileiOS & Android

Epic's official app. If your provider uses Epic, this is the fastest path to your records.

VA: Health and BenefitsiOS & Android

The VA's official app for veterans. Access health records, prescriptions, appointments, and claims in one place.

Portal Security Best Practices

• Use a strong, unique password — not reused from other sites
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever offered
• Never access your portal on public Wi-Fi without a VPN
• Log out completely after each session on shared devices
• Review your login history periodically for unauthorized access

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website or app that gives you 24/7 access to your health information from your healthcare provider. You can typically view lab results, visit notes, medication lists, immunization records, and sometimes request appointments or refills. Major systems include MyChart (Epic), FollowMyHealth (Allscripts), and athenahealth's patient portal.

How do I sign up for my patient portal?

Most portals are activated with an invitation code provided by your healthcare provider at your last visit, or by email after registration. If you never received one, call your provider's front desk and ask for a MyChart activation code (or the equivalent for their system). Many systems also allow self-enrollment with your date of birth and medical record number.

Can I access records from multiple hospitals in one portal?

Not automatically. Most portals only show records from their own health system. However, MyChart has a "connected care" feature that can link other Epic-based institutions. Apple Health and CommonHealth (Android) can also aggregate records from multiple providers who support FHIR standards. For a complete consolidated record, you'll need to request records from each provider separately — or use a service like MedicalRecords.com.

Why can't I see my full history in the portal?

Patient portals typically only show records since the health system adopted their current electronic health record system, usually sometime between 2010 and 2020. Older records, records from affiliated facilities that use different software, and records from providers outside the network are generally not visible. You need to submit a formal HIPAA request to access pre-digital records.

Are patient portals HIPAA-compliant?

Yes. All patient portals operated by covered healthcare entities are required to comply with HIPAA Security Rule safeguards, including encryption, access controls, and audit logging. However, your security also depends on using a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication where available.

What do I do if the portal doesn't have all my records?

Submit a formal HIPAA Right of Access request directly to the provider's Health Information Management (HIM) department. They are legally required to provide your complete medical record — not just what's in the portal — within 30 days. MedicalRecords.com can handle this entire process on your behalf starting at $50.

Can't find what you need in the portal?

Review a patient-authorized request service for records beyond what the portal displays. Service pricing starts at $50; provider eligibility, timing, copy fees, and fulfillment vary.

Request Your Full Records

Related resources