MyChart Messages
Ask a question. Get an answer in 2 - 3 business days.
MyChart messages are a great way to connect with your provider or care team. Your providers and their teams work together to give you the best care. Everyone on your care team can read and respond to your MyChart messages, no matter which provider you sent it to. MyChart messages are best if you need to send a short note and can wait a few days for a response, such as:
- A new, non-urgent issue that needs medical advice
- Chronic disease check-in
- Getting a doctor's note for school, work, emotional support animal, etc.
When to call your clinic
If you need an answer in less than 3 days, call your clinic instead. MyChart messages aren't read at night or on weekends.
For some things, you'll need a virtual or in-person visit instead of a MyChart message. Schedule a visit to ask for advice that is hard to explain through a written message.
Check out our Virtual Options for more ways to get care.
Billed as a visit
If your medical question needs an in-depth answer (involves medical decision-making and takes your provider more than 5 minutes to respond), we may bill you or your insurance.
Why we bill
Virtual options have become part of standard health care. We spend more time answering MyChart messages than ever before. We bill for messages that use clinical expertise and time so you can keep getting high-level care in a way that is most convenient for you. Billing lets your provider spend the time they need to look at your medical history and give you the best advice. Please only send a message if you are okay with possibly being billed.
If you have Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
All messages are free for you.
If you have insurance or Medicare
You'll have a co-pay just like an in-person visit — usually $25 - $40. If you don't have a co-pay, the most you'll pay is $77. Your deductible would apply.
For exact costs, all patients can use our Cost Estimator tool (use CPT code 99423 to see the most you'll pay).
OHSU patients can also email estimates@ohsu.edu or call 503-494-3508.
Hillsboro Medical Center patients can also call the clinic for an estimate.
If you don't have insurance
The most you'll pay is $77.
Some topics are always free
- You respond to a message that your care team or provider sends to you
- You message your provider a question, and someone else from your care team responds
- You message your provider with a question, and they say you should have a visit
- You have a follow-up question based on a recent visit, procedure or lab result
- Your message is simple and only takes a few minutes to answer
Your whole care team - here for you
Who can see your MyChart messages? Your entire OHSU Health care team. All of your OHSU Health primary care and specialty providers (and their teams) can see your MyChart messages in your health record — even the messages you did not send to them. This helps link your health and care plans across our system.
How to message your provider
Log in to MyChart on your computer, or open the MyChart app on your smartphone or tablet. Select "Messages." You'll see a list of providers you can message. If you need MyChart help, call 503-494-5252.
