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Proxy Access

The Alberta Government recently made changes to youth proxy access. These changes make it easier for parents and guardians to access the health information of their children under the age of 18. To manage risk to vulnerable patients and physician medicolegal liability, it’s important that physicians understand the changes and current state, including the process to remove or prevent proxy access when appropriate to manage risk to vulnerable patients.

What’s changed

  • Parents and guardians can now access their children’s health information until the youth reaches age 18. 
  • For children aged 0-15 years, proxy access requests can be submitted online from the MyHealth Alberta (MHA) or via a health care provider using ConnectCare.
    • Access is not removed until the youth turns 18, or it is removed manually.
  • Youth aged 14 and over can apply for their own MHA account and parent/guardians can grant proxy access through the online tool. A health care provider who uses Connect Care can add proxy access if the youth gives permission. 
  • If a youth 14 or older has an MHA account, parents cannot be granted access via the online form. 
  • For youth 16-17 years old who do not have their own MHA account, parents/guardians can only request access via a health care provider who uses Connect Care and has a care relationship with the youth.  This access can be denied.
  • Parent/guardian access will be terminated when the youth is 18 years of age.

Note:

  • Proxy access now includes both access systems under MyHealth Alberta – MyChart and MyPersonal Records.
    • My Personal Records and MyChart will be in sync. Any changes to parental/guardian access will be reflected in both systems.
  • The proxy can see everything the patient can see in both MyChart and My Personal Records.
  • Parents can apply for access online.  Physicians can grant, deny or remove proxy access in Connect Care.

Revoking or denying proxy access

It remains the responsibility of the physician and other regulated health care providers to protect vulnerable children and dependent individuals. With this responsibility comes the ability to revoke or deny proxy access when the patient’s safety is potentially at risk or if the patient is deemed to be a mature minor and wishes their information to remain private.

Proxy access flag

In addition to granting and denying proxy, regulated health care providers can also activate the Proxy Access Flag to accommodate a situation where access should not be granted without a manual review. This flag triggers a manual review for any requests submitted through the MyHealth Alberta intake form (the ConnectCare process is already a manual review), and can identify details specifying if any specific people can or cannot have access.

This flag is entered on the child’s health record when access is revoked, however can be put on a child’s health record at any time.  There does not need to be a proxy access request to add the proxy access flag.

How to grant, revoke or deny proxy access or change the proxy access flag

Providers with ConnectCare access can refer to the MyChart Proxy Manual for the process and guidelines. However, for complex requests providers should call the HIM Disclosure Help Line.

Providers without ConnectCare access will need to submit all requests by phone or email. For urgent cases call the HIM Disclosure Help Line. This change is expected to be made within 48 hours.

To ensure that privacy obligations are met and patient data is not put at risk, the AMA recommends using the HIM Disclosure Help Line in any situation where personal data is being shared. 

Webinar

On April 29, 2026 the AMA hosted a webinar featuring panel members with clinical and system expertise from different areas of the health system including representatives from the AMA (including the Section of Pediatrics), Alberta Health Services, Health Shared Services, the Canadian Medical Protective Association and the ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services.

The goal of this session was to raise awareness of what has changed with proxy access, clarify the new relevant processes and practical considerations for how proxy access can be reviewed or revoked, and create space for questions from attendees to support ongoing discussion.  The webinar was successful in fostering a respectful, dialogue focused on real-world care of youth, including protecting the privacy of adolescent and youth patients where proxy access may pose confidentiality risks while supporting appropriate family involvement.

Access to the webinar recording, presentations and Q&A, can be found behind the member login.

Youth proxy access webinar - April 29, 2026

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