Change your MyChart username through your account settings
To change your MyChart username, log into your account, go to Settings, and select the option to change your login credentials. The exact steps depend on which health system's MyChart you use — Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and others each run their own version — but the process is nearly identical across all of them. You will need your current password to make the change, and the new username takes effect when ready.
The username you choose must be unique to that health system's MyChart. You cannot use a username that another patient at that same hospital or clinic has already claimed. Most systems allow usernames between 4 and 20 characters, with letters, numbers, and some special characters like underscores or hyphens.
Key Takeaways
- Log in to your MyChart account, then navigate to Settings or Account Settings to find the username change option.
- You will need to enter your current password before the system lets you create a new username.
- The new username must be different from your old one and cannot already be in use by another patient at your health system.
- Your new username becomes active right away, and you will use it the next time you log in.
Step-by-step: changing your username
Start by opening MyChart in a web browser or the MyChart app on your phone. Enter your current username and password to log in. Once you are on your home page, look for a menu icon — usually three horizontal lines in the top left or top right corner — or a "Settings" link.
Click Settings or Account Settings. You should see options for your profile, security, and communication preferences. Look for a link that says "Change Username," "Update Login Credentials," "Change Login Name," or something similar. Click it. The system will ask you to enter your current password again as a security check. Type it in and continue.
You will now see a field for your new username. Type in the username you want to use. As you type, the system may tell you right away whether that username is already taken. If it is, try a different one. Once you find one that is available, click the button to confirm the change — usually labeled "Save," "Update," or "Change Username." The page should show a message confirming the change was successful.
What to do if you cannot find the username change option
Some health systems hide the username change option deeper in the settings menu. If you do not see it on the main Settings page, look for a subsection called "Login," "Security," "Account," or "Credentials." Click into each one until you find the right option.
If you have searched Settings thoroughly and still cannot find it, your health system may not allow patients to change their own username through MyChart. In that case, contact your health system's patient support line or help desk. They can change it for you over the phone or email. You will need to verify your identity — usually by providing your date of birth, medical record number, or last four digits of your Social Security number — before they make the change.
Choosing a new username that is straightforward to remember
Pick a username that you will remember without writing it down. Avoid using the same username you use for email, banking, or social media, since that makes your accounts easier to guess if someone learns one password. A good MyChart username is something only you would think of — a combination of a meaningful word and numbers that matter to you, or a phrase shortened into letters and numbers.
Do not use your full name, date of birth, or medical record number as your username. These are too straightforward for someone else to figure out. Also avoid usernames that contain your health system's name or the word "patient," since those are common patterns that hackers try.
After you change your username
Your new username is active when ready. The next time you log out and log back in, you will use the new username instead of the old one. Write down your new username somewhere safe, or store it in a password manager if you use one. Do not share it with anyone else.
If you have MyChart bookmarked in your browser, the bookmark will still work — it just takes you to the login page. You will type in your new username when you get there. If you use the MyChart app on your phone, you may need to log out and log back in with your new username the next time you open it, depending on how your health system set up the app.
If you forget your new username
If you change your username and then forget it, you can still log in using your email address instead. Most MyChart systems let you enter either your username or your registered email address at the login screen. Try entering the email address associated with your account, then your password. If that works, log in and go back to Settings to remind yourself what your new username is, or to change it again.
If you cannot remember your password either, click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. MyChart will send a password reset link to your registered email address. Once you reset your password and log in, you can see your username in Settings or your account profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for someone else to use. But you can change your username again to the old one, and the system will let you claim it again as long as no one else has taken it in the meantime.
Will changing my username affect my medical records or appointments?
No. Your username is just how you log in. Your medical records, appointments, prescriptions, and messages are all tied to your patient account, not to your username. Changing the username does not change anything about your health information or your care.
Do I need to update my username anywhere else?
No. Your MyChart username is only used to log into MyChart. You do not need to tell your doctor's office, pharmacy, or insurance company about the change. They have your account information in their own systems and do not use your MyChart login credentials.
How often can I change my username?
Most health systems let you change your username as often as you want, but some limit you to one change per month or require you to wait a certain number of days between changes. If you try to change it and get a message saying you have to wait, contact your health system's help desk to ask about their policy.
What if my health system does not use MyChart?
Different hospital systems use different patient portals — Epic's MyChart, Cerner's CareAware, Allscripts, and others. If your health system does not use MyChart, look for the username change option in whatever portal they do use. The steps are similar, but the menu names and locations may be different.