MyChart: Manage Your Medications and Medical Records Online

When you use MyChart, a secure online patient portal that connects you to your healthcare provider’s electronic health records. Also known as Epic MyChart, it lets you see your prescriptions, lab results, and visit summaries without calling the office. This isn’t just a convenience—it’s a safety tool. If you’re taking five or more medications, like many older adults or people with chronic conditions, keeping track of what you’re on, when, and why becomes impossible with paper notes alone. MyChart gives you a live, updated list that your doctor can also see in real time.

That’s why electronic health records, digital versions of your medical history stored securely by clinics and hospitals. Also known as EHRs, they form the backbone of MyChart. Without them, you’d be stuck guessing if your blood pressure med was changed last month or if your pharmacist got the right dose. MyChart pulls data directly from your provider’s system, so your medication list, allergy history, and test results are always current. This cuts down on errors—like double-prescribing or missing a drug interaction—that happen when records are scattered across paper files or different systems.

And it’s not just about seeing your data. medication management, the process of tracking, organizing, and safely using all your prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. Also known as drug regimen tracking, it’s one of the top reasons people use MyChart. You can request refills, set reminders, and even message your doctor about side effects. If you’ve ever forgotten if you took your pill at 8 a.m. or 8 p.m., or worried about mixing a new supplement with your blood thinner, MyChart gives you the facts right at your fingertips. You can also share your full list with caregivers or family members—something we’ve seen reduce hospital visits by up to 30% in studies of seniors managing polypharmacy.

MyChart also helps you prepare for appointments. You can review your last lab results before seeing your doctor, so you’re not caught off guard by a high potassium level or a dropped cholesterol number. You can even pre-submit questions, which means less time in the waiting room and more time getting real answers. It’s especially useful if you’ve had multiple specialists, since it brings everything—cardiology, endocrinology, neurology—into one place.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides written by people who’ve been there: how to fix a broken refill request, what to do when your lab results show up but your doctor hasn’t explained them, how to add a new medication to your list without causing a clash, and how to use MyChart if you have low vision or hearing loss. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re fixes for the daily frustrations that come with managing health in a complex system. Whether you’re helping a parent, managing your own chronic condition, or just tired of playing phone tag with your pharmacy, the articles here give you clear steps to take control—without waiting for a doctor’s appointment.