Your patient profile contains your personal information that helps healthcare providers give you safe, appropriate care. It includes your contact details, medical identifiers, cultural background, and communication preferences.

Keeping this information accurate and current is important for your safety and helps providers contact you, understand your needs, and coordinate your care effectively.

Note: You can update most information yourself. Some sensitive details may need verification with your healthcare provider.

 

What's in Your Profile

Your profile is organized into 5 sections:

  • Name - Your full name, including any prefixes, suffixes, or nicknames
  • Personal Information - Birth date, gender, languages, marital status, and cultural background
  • Address - Home, work, and mailing addresses
  • Contact Information - Phone numbers, emails, and communication preferences
  • Identifiers - Medical record numbers, insurance IDs, and other identifying information

Additional Information:

  • Profile photo - Helps providers identify you safely
  • Language preferences - Languages you speak and if you need an interpreter
  • Cultural information - Race, ethnicity, and tribal affiliation for appropriate care

 

Why This Information Matters

Complete profile information helps with:

  • Patient safety - Correct identification prevents medical errors
  • Communication - Providers can reach you in your preferred language and method
  • Culturally appropriate care - Understanding your background helps providers give respectful care
  • Care coordination - Information sharing between your healthcare providers
  • Insurance and billing - Accurate processing of claims and coverage
  • Emergency contact - Reaching you or your family during urgent situations

 

What You Can Update

You can change yourself:

  • Profile photo
  • Contact information (phone, email, addresses)
  • Language preferences and interpreter needs
  • Marital status
  • Cultural information (race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation)
  • Name components (prefixes, suffixes)

May need verification:

  • Birth date
  • Gender information
  • Social Security number
  • Legal identifiers

Managed by providers:

  • Active/inactive status
  • Medical record numbers
  • Clinical status information

 

Tips for Keeping Your Profile Current

Review regularly - Check your information every few months or after major life changes

  • Update contact info immediately - New phone numbers, addresses, or email addresses
  • Include multiple contact methods - Helps providers reach you in different situations
  • Be complete with languages - List all languages you're comfortable speaking about medical topics
  • Keep insurance information current - Update member IDs when coverage changes
  • Use a current photo - Helps with identification, especially in emergencies

Remember: Accurate profile information helps ensure you get safe, appropriate care tailored to your needs.