Getting Your MyChart Username When You First Sign Up

When you create a new MyChart account, you choose your own username during the registration process. This happens on your health system's MyChart login page — the same place where you'll log in later. You'll see a link that says "Don't have a MyChart account?" or "Register" depending on your health system. Click that link, and the registration form will ask you to create a username along with your password, email address, and other basic information.

Your username can be letters, numbers, or a combination of both. Most health systems require it to be between 4 and 20 characters long, though the exact rules vary. You'll want to pick something you can remember easily, because you'll type it every time you log in. Avoid using your full name or any part of your Social Security number — usernames are visible to some staff members at your health system, so keep it generic.

Once you finish registration and confirm your email address, your username is active when ready. You can start logging in right away. Write down your username somewhere safe, or use your browser's password manager to store it alongside your password.

Key Takeaways

  • You create your MyChart username yourself during registration on your health system's MyChart login page.
  • Your username must usually be 4 to 20 characters and can include letters and numbers, but not special characters like @ or #.
  • If you already have an account but forgot your username, use the "Forgot username?" link on the login page to have it sent to your email.
  • Some health systems let you change your username in account settings after registration, though others do not allow changes.
  • Your username is different from your email address — you need both to log in on some systems and only the username on others.

Finding a Username You Already Created

If you registered for MyChart months or years ago and cannot remember your username, the fastest way to retrieve it is through the "Forgot username?" link on the login page. Click that link, enter the email address you used when you registered, and your health system will email your username to you within a few minutes. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox within 10 minutes.

If you don't remember which email address you used, call your health system's patient support line. They can look up your account using your name, date of birth, and medical record number. This usually takes a few minutes, and they'll either tell you your username or help you reset it on the spot.

What to Do If You Never Received a Registration Email

Some health systems send you a temporary MyChart username and password by email before you can register. If you never received that email, check your spam and junk folders first — registration emails often get caught there. If it's not there, your email address may not be on file at your health system yet.

Contact your doctor's office or your health system's main patient line and ask them to add your email address to your medical record. Once they do that, you can request a new registration email. This usually takes one business day. If your health system uses a different process, the patient line can walk you through it.

Changing Your Username After Registration

Whether you can change your username depends on your health system's rules. Some allow you to change it anytime in your account settings under "Profile" or "Account Information." Others lock your username permanently after registration. The only way to know is to log in and look in your account settings, or call your health system's patient support line and ask.

If your health system does not allow username changes and you want a different one, you may need to create a new account with a different email address. However, this means you'll have two separate accounts, and your medical records will be split between them. Before you do this, ask your health system whether they can merge the accounts or transfer your records to the new one.

Username vs. Email Address: Which One Do You Need?

Different health systems use different login methods. Some ask for your username and password. Others ask for your email address and password. A few let you use either one. Check your health system's login page to see which one it requires — it will say "Username" or "Email" in the login field.

This matters because your username and email address are not the same thing. Your username is what you created during registration. Your email address is the contact email you provided. If you log in with your email address, you cannot use your username instead, and vice versa. If you're not sure which one your system uses, try logging in with your email first. If that doesn't work, use the "Forgot username?" link to retrieve your username and try again.

Resetting Your Username When You Cannot Log In

If you're locked out of your account and cannot remember your username or password, start with the "Forgot username?" link. This will send your username to your email. Then use the "Forgot password?" link to reset your password. You'll usually be asked to answer a security question or verify your identity through your email before you can set a new password.

If you don't have access to the email address you registered with, or if the security questions don't work, you'll need to call your health system's patient support line. They can verify your identity using your name, date of birth, and medical record number, then reset your username and password for you or help you regain access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my email address as my MyChart username?

No. Your username is a separate thing you create during registration. However, some health systems let you log in with either your username or your email address. Check your login page to see which method your system accepts.

What if I registered but never set a username?

If your health system sent you a temporary username by email and you never created a permanent one, you can still use the temporary username to log in. You can usually change it to something else in your account settings once you're logged in.

Can someone else see my MyChart username?

Your username is visible to staff members at your health system who work in patient records or billing. It is not visible to other patients. This is why you should avoid using your full name or sensitive information in your username.

What if my health system uses a different name for MyChart?

Some health systems call their patient portal by a different name — like "Patient Gateway," "My Health," or the health system's own brand name. The login process and username rules are the same, but the login page URL will be different. Your doctor's office or the health system's website will have the correct link.

Can I have more than one MyChart account?

Technically yes, but it creates problems. If you register twice with different email addresses, you'll have two separate accounts with split medical records. Most health systems can merge them if you call and ask, but it's easier to use one account from the start.