You can change your MyChart username through your account settings, but the process depends on which health system runs your MyChart account

MyChart is run by Epic Systems, but each hospital network and clinic manages its own version. That means the exact steps to change your username vary slightly depending on whether you use MyChart through Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, your local hospital, or another health system. The core process is the same: log in, find account settings, and update your username — but some systems let you do it yourself while others require you to contact their support team.

Before you start, know that changing your username does not affect your password, your medical records, or your appointment history. Everything stays connected to your account. You will just log in with a different name next time.

Key Takeaways

  • Most MyChart systems let you change your username by logging in, opening account settings, and selecting the option to edit your login name.
  • Some health systems require you to call their patient support line or contact MyChart support directly instead of letting you change it yourself online.
  • Your username is separate from your display name — you can change your username without changing the name that appears on your medical records.
  • After you change your username, you will need to use the new name to log in on your next visit.

The self-service route: changing your username online

If your health system allows self-service changes, the steps are straightforward. Log into MyChart with your current username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a menu option labeled "Settings," "Account," "My Account," or "Profile" — the exact wording depends on your health system, but it is usually in the top right corner or in a dropdown menu under your name.

Click into that menu and find the section for login information or username. You will see your current username displayed. Click the edit or change button next to it, type in your new username, and save the change. The system will confirm that the new username is available and not already in use by another patient at that health system. If the name you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one.

After you save, log out and log back in with your new username to confirm the change worked. If you cannot find the username change option in your account settings, your health system likely requires you to contact them directly — move to the next section.

When you need to call: contacting your health system's support line

Some health systems do not allow patients to change their own usernames online. Instead, they require you to call their patient support line or MyChart help desk. This is more common at smaller hospitals and regional clinics, though some large systems also use this approach for security reasons.

To find the right number, log into MyChart and look for a "Help" or "Contact Us" link, usually at the bottom of the page. That link will give you the phone number for your specific health system's MyChart support team. When you call, have your date of birth and a form of ID ready — they will verify your identity before making any changes to your account.

Tell the support person you want to change your username and provide the new username you want to use. They will check that it is available and make the change on their end. Ask them to confirm the new username before you hang up, and test it by logging out and logging back in within the next hour to make sure it took effect.

What happens to your password and medical records

Changing your username does not change your password. You will keep using the same password you set up before — only the username part of your login changes. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can usually do that in the same account settings menu, or ask the support person to help you reset it when you call.

Your medical records, appointment history, prescriptions, and all other information in your account stay exactly the same. The change is purely cosmetic to your login credentials. Your doctor and the health system's staff will not see any difference on their end.

The difference between username and display name

MyChart lets you set two different names: your username (what you type to log in) and your display name (what shows up in your medical records and on bills). You can change your username without touching your display name, or change both if you want.

If you are changing your username for privacy reasons but want your medical records to stay under your legal name, change only the username. If you are changing your legal name and want everything updated, you will need to change both — though the display name change usually requires more verification and may need to be done through your health system's records department rather than MyChart itself.

Troubleshooting: username already taken or change will not save

If the username you want is already taken, MyChart will tell you that when you try to save it. Choose a different variation — add a number, a middle initial, or a different spelling. Usernames are case-insensitive, so "JSmith" and "jsmith" are the same thing.

If you are trying to save a new username and the system keeps rejecting it without saying it is taken, the username may contain a character or word that your health system's system does not allow. Try removing special characters, numbers, or spaces. Most systems accept letters and numbers but reject symbols like hyphens, underscores, or periods.

If the change button is greyed out or not appearing at all, your health system may not allow self-service username changes. Contact their support line using the method described above.

How long the change takes to show up everywhere

The username change is usually when ready. You can log out and log back in with your new username right away. However, if you are logged into MyChart on multiple devices — your phone, tablet, and computer — you may need to log out on each device and log back in with the new username. Some devices will keep you logged in with the old username until you manually sign out.

If you use MyChart through a mobile app, the app may take a few minutes to sync the change. If you are still seeing your old username in the app after 10 minutes, try closing the app completely and reopening it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. You can change your username as many times as you want using the same process. However, if you changed it recently, your health system may have a waiting period — usually 24 to 48 hours — before you can change it again. If you hit that limit, contact support and explain the situation.

What if I forgot my current username?

Go to the MyChart login page and click "Forgot username" or "Need help signing in." You will be asked to enter your date of birth and other identifying information. MyChart will then show you your current username or send it to your email address on file.

Do I need to tell my doctor that I changed my username?

No. Your doctor and the health system's staff do not see your username. They see your medical record, which is tied to your account regardless of what username you use to log in. The change is invisible to them.

Can I use an email address as my username instead?

Some health systems allow it, others do not. Try entering your email address in the username field when you make the change. If the system rejects it, you will need to use a traditional username format instead.

What if my health system says they cannot change my username?

This is rare but does happen at some smaller clinics. If support tells you a change is not possible, ask whether you can delete your account and create a new one with the username you want. You will lose your saved information, but you can set up a fresh account. For most people, this is not worth the hassle — but it is an option if the current username is a real problem.