Teen Access & Consent

Starting at 13 years old, patients can create their own MyChart accounts. Parents and legal guardians can't set up these accounts on behalf of their teens. To learn more, please review these frequently asked questions about teen MyChart access and how they can give access to parents or legal guardians.

At UVA Health, teens control access to some of their medical records. Why?

See the state law §54.1-2969 for more information.

What’s the purpose of this law? 

This state law aims to help teens by:

• Giving teens in crisis a safe place to get help
• Protecting those without adult support
• Encouraging them to ask questions and provide a complete medical history
• Teaching them how to manage their own healthcare

What can teens do with their medical records?

UVA Health allows minors ages 13-17 to:

• Create their own MyChart accounts
• Control who can see their MyChart accounts
• Restrict or give access to their medical records related to four protected categories of care:
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Mental healthcare
• Birth control

Why do teens need this privacy?

• Adolescents who fear a parent's reaction to their behavior often don't tell their doctors critical information. As a result, they don't get the medical help they need.
• This policy gives teens the chance to talk openly and honestly with a provider about these issues. Doctors can then give their teen patient counseling, advice, treatment, and support.

Are other hospitals doing this?

Yes. These policies comply with state law and are in line with other hospitals in Virginia.

Can we opt out?

No. UVA Health must be in compliance with Virginia state law.

Unless the teen gives consent, parents and legal guardians can't:

• View MyChart records beyond billing and messaging
• Access printed official medical records related to care for the 4 protected categories of care (STDs, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health care, and birth control)

How can a teen open a MyChart account?

Teens may request a MyChart account by:

• Calling the UVA MyChart Help Desk at 434.243.2500
• Signing up during their next clinic visit

All we need is the teen’s consent and their email address to get started.  Note that the email address cannot be the same as their parent or legal guardian’s email address.

Can parents or legal guardians open a MyChart account on behalf of a teen?

No. Teens must open up their own accounts

Who can a teen share their MyChart records with?

Teens can grant access to any adult.

How does a teenager change parental access in MyChart?

The teen first needs to set up their own MyChart account.

Then there are two options, which are:

1. Use the Share My Record tool to grant a parent, guardian, or any adult
2. Complete the Parent/Legal Guardian/Other Adult Proxy Access to Adolescent MyChart (Child aged 13-17 years old) Form

For both options, the teen can decide to give full access or a limited version, which includes Messaging and Bill Pay.

Can I get copies of my teen's official, legal health record?

If you are a parent or legal guardian, you can ask for medical records from Health Information Management. You'll receive everything except for items marked with an Adolescent Privacy flag. To receive these records, the teen must provide consent.

Your child's provider can flag records for care related to the 4 protected categories (STDs, drug and alcohol abuse, mental healthcare, and birth control). This keeps these items private in the official medical record, unless authorized by the teen.

Note: The flag tool only restricts the record in the legal medical record. It has no bearing on:

• What is released to the teen’s MyChart
• MyChart access and privacy restrictions

How do I access UVA Health medical records?

UVA Health offers multiple options for you to request medical records (including images).

Who is responsible for the medical bills?

Billing information and procedures don't change when a patient becomes a teenager. In most cases, the parent or guardian is responsible for any amount due after insurance.

What proxy access can a parent/legal guardian have in MyChart if their teenager refuses to approve access?

Messaging and Bill Pay. This may be requested via the Parent/Legal Guardian/Other Adult Proxy Access to Adolescent MyChart (Child aged 13-17 years old) Form.

How will the teen and parent/guardian be reminded of upcoming appointments?

Text reminders, reminder calls, and appointment letters will go to the phone and contact information listed on file.

Parents or guardians can call the teen's provider to ask about upcoming appointment times.

If your teen’s next appointment is a virtual visit, call the clinic. We encourage our teen patients to set up their own MyChart accounts as soon as possible to access important upcoming visit information.

What about reminders for when prescriptions or refills are ready?

You can pick up prescriptions for your teenage child. "Prescription ready" calls and texts go to the phone and contact information listed in MyChart.

But, without full MyChart access, you can't see medication information in MyChart.

What if my teen is developmentally delayed?

Access to health information and consent for teens that are developmentally delayed follows our Caregiver process. See Proxy Access to MyChart Caregivers.

I have more questions. Who can I talk to?

For more information, contact:

MyChart Help Desk - 434.243.2500 
For technical questions about MyChart, such as opening a new MyChart account, resetting an account password, or help using MyChart.

Health Information Management (HIM) - 434.924.5136

For questions about establishing relationships, designating a proxy, requests for records from the legal medical record, or to further explain the policy. 

Types of MyChart Access