1. Why is Regional West switching electronic health record companies?
Transitioning to Epic electronic health records (EHR) system will aid in Regional West’s focus to improve care coordination throughout the medical center and clinic settings. Epic is the most widely used EHR system in the country. With assistance from UCHealth in Denver, Colorado, Regional West will launch the new Epic system in October. The system will include MyChart, a user-friendly patient portal where patients can access and pay their bills, correspond with their care providers, schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, and view test results. The transition to Epic is an organizational transformation.
While new technology is a major component and requires great collaboration between the UCHealth and Regional West information technology teams, success will be driven by Regional West’s leadership, physicians, providers, nurses, therapists, and clinical employees. The outcome will be an integrated EHR platform that enables physicians and providers to have immediate access to relevant patient information and empowers patients to manage their own care through the patient portal.
2. What will I need to bring to my first appointment after the transition to Epic on Oct. 5, 2024?
Every patient will need to verify his or her name, date of birth, address, phone number, and Social Security number. Please remember to bring your insurance or Medicare card and current medication list. A photo will be taken and placed in your medical record.
3. What is MyChart?
MyChart is the Epic (EHR) patient portal that empowers patients to take ownership of their healthcare. Patients can stay connected to their physicians and providers, giving them convenient access to their health records with tools to manage their care in either a website or mobile application. Key features of MyChart include access to clinical notes and test results; the ability to request and schedule appointments; send messages; manage medication; view statements; and pay bills online.
4. Where do I create a MyChart account?
After your initial visit to your provider, you will receive an activation email or text message from “MyChart” to set up your account. You will then have two ways to access your MyChart account. One, visit the RWHS.org website and click on the MyChart link, or two, download the MyChart app on your smartphone.
5. How do I sign up for MyChart?
After your next appointment, if you are 19 years old or older, you will receive an activation email or text message to set up your MyChart account!
6. How can you find the Regional West MyChart app in the app store?
- First, you will search for MyChart in the app store and download it.
- Next, you’ll click on the “End User License Agreement” and “Privacy Policy” boxes after you have reviewed them. Then click on “Access MyChart.”
- Then you’ll “Search for an organization."
- Type “UCHealth” in the search bar. “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals” will come up. Click on the box.
- Fill in the login “Username” and “Password” information.
If you already have MyChart, you will need to add an organization. Once you click on “add (or edit) organization” you’ll search “UCHealth” and select “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals.”
If you have an active account with UCHealth, you can use the same credentials for MyChart when logging in. Once logged in, you will see health information from both health systems.
7. What if I can’t remember my username or password?
If you're having trouble logging in, please contact your physician’s office for assistance.
8. Before arriving for my appointment, can I complete my registration paperwork online?
Yes, if you have an active MyChart account, you may be able to complete your pre-registration paperwork online through eCheck-In prior to arriving for your appointment. At the time of check-in, you will need to verify your date of birth, address, current medication list, and Social Security number, plus present your insurance or Medicare card.
9. Will my login stay the same for MyChart as MyRegionalWest?
Your login information for MyRegionalWest will stay the same. However, you will need to create a new login for the MyChart patient portal as it is a completely separate electronic health record system.
10. What information will be in MyChart on Oct. 5, 2024?
The information in MyChart, the Epic patient portal, is populated based on your medical health record as stored in Regional West's electronic health record (EHR) system beginning Oct. 5, 2024 and going forward. Initially, information like allergies, medications, immunizations, and existing appointments may appear in your MyChart account, but all information will need reviewed.
Your health information for care provided before Oct. 4, 2024 is located in MyRegionalWest patient portal powered by Cerner. This information will become view only on Sept. 29, 2024 at 5 p.m. Regional West will stop using the MyRegionalWest patient portal in 2025 and it will become unavailable to users.
11. If I have a MyChart account from receiving care at UCHealth, will my account automatically show my information from Regional West?
Yes, you can use the same username and password to log in into MyChart that you use for My Health Connection. In both portals you will see the care information relevant to you from your care at both locations.
12. Who has access to my MyChart account?
The information in MyChart is populated based on your medical health record as stored in Regional West's electronic health record (EHR) system. Access to a MyChart account is controlled through a username and password combination chosen by the patient. Do not share your username or password with others. Only you can grant access to another user who helps manage your care.
13. Will the Cerner patient portal, MyRegionalWest, still be available?
Yes, the Cerner patient portal, MyRegionalWest, will be available through Oct. 2025, but will be view only after Sept. 29, 2024 at 5 p.m.
14. Can my spouse and I share one account?
No. Your account is unique to you. You can grant access to another adult who needs to see your relevant care information. Only you can grant access to another user who helps manage your care or has a need to know your health information.
15. Can I add my children to my MyChart account?
Yes. If you are the parent or guardian of a child from newborn to age 13, you may request family access.
Request access in UCHealth affiliated clinics and hospital MyChart
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Log in to your “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals” MyChart account.
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Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
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Scroll to the Sharing section and click “Request Family Access.”
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On this page, look under “Request access to the account of a child or teenager.”
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Select the “Affiliated Organization’s Child Access” form.
Request access on the MyChart app
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Log in to the “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals” via the MyChart app.
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Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
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Scroll to the “Sharing” section and select “Request family access.”
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On this page, look under “Request access to the account of a child or teenager.”
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Select the “Affiliated Organization’s Child Access” form.
If you are the parent or guardian of a teenager age 14 to 18, you may request family access.
However, patients age 14 to 18 may have the legal right to consent to certain types of medical treatment themselves. They do not need consent by their parent or guardian. UCHealth’s Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals respect the rights of these young patients to keep details of their medical care private.
16. Can my spouse and I both add our children to our MyChart accounts? Yes.
17. What happens to the information in a child's account when the he or she turns 19 years old?
On the child's 19th birthday, the parent’s access to the child's information will remain, but only the health information prior to their birthdate will be visible to the parent. When the child reaches the age of majority at 19, the child is able to establish his or her own MyChart account as an adult. Adults ages 19 and older may give friends and family access to another adult at any time.
You may also request family access if you are a legal guardian or caregiver for a dependent adult. They can access some parts of your medical record only if they have a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Request access in UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals MyChart
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Log in to your “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals” MyChart account.
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Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
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Scroll to the “Sharing” section and click “Request Family Access.”
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On this page, look under “Request access to the account of someone with diminished capacity.”
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Select the “Affiliated Organization’s Other Account Access” form.
Request access on the MyChart app
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Log in to the “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals”via the MyChart app.
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Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
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Scroll to the “Sharing” section and select “Request family access.”
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On this page, look under “Request access to the account of someone with diminished capacity.”
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Select the “Affiliated Organization’s Other Account Access” form.
18. Can I share my medical information in MyChart with a family member?
Adults age 19 and older may give another adult loved one or a family member access to their MyChart account.
Give family account access to another person in UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals MyChart
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Log in to the UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals via the MyChart app.
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Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
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Scroll to the “Sharing” section and select “Share my record.”
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Select “Manage friend and family access.”
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Click “Invite someone” and complete the form with details of the person you want to give access to your medical record.
Revoke access
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You can revoke this access at any time.
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Go to the “Account Sharing” page.
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Select “Manage friend and family” access.
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Click the “Remove” button next to their information.
Give family account access to another person on the MyChart app
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Log in to the “UCHealth Affiliated Clinics and Hospitals” via the MyChart app.
-
Click “Menu” at the top of the screen.
-
Scroll to the “Sharing” section and select “Share my record.”
-
Select “Manage friend and family” access.
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Click “Invite someone” and complete the form with details of the person you want to give access to your medical record.
Revoke access
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You can revoke this access at any time.
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Go to the “Account Sharing” page.
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Select “Manage friend and family access.”
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Click the “Remove” button next to their information.
19. How do I deactivate MyChart?
You can deactivate your account at any time using either the MyChart mobile app or the website. Please note! Deactivating your account does not delete your medical records.
Deactivating your account using the MyChart mobile app
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Log into the “MyChart Mobile App.”
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Click the “Menu” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
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Select “Settings.”
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Select “Mobile settings.”
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Click “Deactivate my account.”
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Select “Deactivate.”
Deactivating your account using the MyChart website
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Log into the “MyChart” website.
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Click the “Menu” button in the upper left corner.
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Scroll down to “Account settings “and select “Security settings.”
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Select the “Account deactivation” page option.
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Select “Deactivate.”
20. Will my bill for healthcare provided before switching to Epic be accessible online?
Yes, you will be able to access “About Your Bill” on the RWHS.org website via the navigation at the top of the website for services provided prior to Oct. 5, 2024.
21. How will I be able to pay my bill online once Epic goes live on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024?
You will be able to access your billing information via the MyChart patient portal by clicking on the link located on the RWHS.org website or by downloading the MyChart app on your smartphone. If you do not have a MyChart account, you will be able to still pay in the MyChart portal as a guest.
22. Is the billing automated in Epic?
Yes, everything in Epic is automated, including the billing for the services you receive throughout the Regional West health system. This is important to know regarding bill payment plans. If you are unable to pay your bill in full when it is due, you will need to set up a payment plan by calling the phone number listed on your statement or in the MyChart portal. If you don’t set up a payment plan, the system will show your remaining account balance as past due and transition your account to a past due status.
23. Can I request or schedule an appointment in MyChart?
Yes. Once you create a MyChart account and log in, go to “Appointments and Notes” to schedule your appointments.
24. Can I change an appointment in the MyChart portal?
Yes. Log in to your MyChart account and select “Appointments and Notes” to reschedule your appointments.
25. What appointments will be displayed in MyChart?
All of your scheduled appointments at Regional West and with Regional West physicians and providers will show in your MyChart account.
26. Can I schedule an appointment on the website without being a registered MyChart user?
Yes. New patients can visit RWHS.org and click on the “Schedule Now” button. You will have the option to schedule an appointment with a provider at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Pediatrics or any of the three Regional West Physicians Clinic-Family Medicine locations (Scottsbluff, Gering, or Morrill).
27. How soon after a test or lab work will I be able to see the results?
The results will be available in your MyChart account as soon as the results are posted to your medical record.
28. Can UCHealth health providers see or access my medical chart in Epic?
Yes, healthcare professionals with a need to know or assist in your healthcare can view your medical chart in Epic. Other health systems that use the electronic health records (EHR) system may be able to view your record upon requesting access.
29. Can I send a message to my physician or provider within MyChart?
Yes. If you have been seen by a physician or provider in the past two years, you can message them. Messages are for non-urgent questions or concerns. Do not send a message for an emergency. Your care team will see your message during normal business hours and respond within two business days. In some cases, your physician or provider may need more time and information to review your message, so you may be asked to complete a message appointment. A message appointment requires a bit more information from you for our records but will not change how quickly your physician or provider responds.
30. Can I update the profile information in my MyChart account?
Yes. Go to the menu, under account settings select “Personal Information” and edit from there.
31. Will my record in MyChart match my record in the hospital and clinic computer system?
Yes, the information in MyChart is populated based on your medical health record as stored in Regional West's electronic health record (EHR) system.
