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Every time a patient asks how to get a family member into their MyChart account, the answer we give matters. The wrong guidance — even offered with good intentions — can leave a patient's account deactivated and them locked out of appointments, results, and messages with their care team. The right guidance turns that same request into a quick, secure fix. 

That's what proxy access is for: a safe way for patients to share their care with the people who help manage it — a spouse, an adult child, a parent — without ever compromising the account itself. When every team member points patients toward that process, MyChart works the way it's supposed to for everyone involved. 

Here's what our teams need to know: 

Can a patient just share their MyChart login with a family member? 

No — this violates our Terms & Conditions and will get the account deactivated. The family member should get Proxy Access instead. 

Can a parent set up MyChart for a teenager or an adult child who lacks capacity? 

No. They must go through the proxy process, not create or log into the account themselves. 

What proxy types are available? 

• Adult Proxy Access — one adult accessing another adult's account, both able to make their own decisions  
• Caregiver Proxy Access — for a patient of any age who lacks capacity  
• Parent/Legal Guardian Proxy — for children 12 and under  
• Parent/Legal Guardian/Other Adult Proxy — for adolescents 13–17  

Where are the forms? 

UVA Health Forms & Policies website

How long does it take? 

5–7 business days — Health Information Management (HIM) verifies identity and any required legal documentation. 

Who do patients or staff contact with questions? 

• MyChart Help Desk (434.243.2500) — technical issues, new accounts, password resets  
• Health Information Management (434.924.5136 / mychart@uvahealth.org) — proxy relationships and access questions  
• Suspected misuse: Director of HIM (434.924.2196 / sf2n@uvahealth.org) — only HIM can deactivate an account 

What do I say to a patient who asks about setting up a family member with a MyChart account? 

Here is a quick response: “The best way to give a family member access is through proxy access — just fill out the proxy form on our Forms & Policies page on UVAHealth.com, and Health Information Management will have it set up within 5–7 business days.”