PHR Frequently Asked Questions

This is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the IHS Personal Health Record. Click a question below to display the answer.

What is the Personal Health Record?

The Personal Health Record (PHR) is a tool that lets you see your health information from IHS facilities by using a common web browser and an internet connection on your computer or mobile device.

What can I do with PHR?

The Personal Health Record allows you to do the following:
  • Access your health information when you want.
  • Look at your medications, health issues, lab results, historical information, and more.
  • Download, and print a copy of your health information.
  • Send an e-mail message to your health care team.
  • Verify that your medical record is correct.
  • Allow a personal representative to view your health information.

How do I sign up for PHR?

Follow these instructions to sign up for your Personal Health Record.
  1. Go to https://phr.ihs.gov.
  2. Click the “Register to use PHR” button and create your PHR account by entering the requested information.
  3. Bring a valid form of identification to your primary health care facility to complete the PHR sign up.
  4. Go to https://phr.ihs.gov and enter the username and password you created during sign up.

Do I need to accept the IHS Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions to access my PHR?

Yes, you must accept the IHS Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions to access your PHR.

How do I recover my Username or Password?

Click Forgot Username or Password on the login page and follow the instructions.

How do I change my PHR account password or update my PHR profile settings?

Once your are logged into PHR, look for the navigation toolbar along the top of the screen. Click Manage then select Account Settings from the drop-down menu options.

Why is my PHR account locked?

If you enter your PHR credentials incorrectly five times, your PHR account will be locked for security purposes. To unlock your account, click Forgot Username or Password on the login page and follow the instructions.

How do I deactivate my PHR account?

If you want to deactivate or remove your PHR account, please contact your primary facility’s PHR administrator.

How often does my PHR get updated?

Your PHR is updated when your medical record is electronically updated by the facility. After that, the information is prepared and sent to the central system during the nightly upload.

Is the information in my PHR a complete medical record?

The information in your PHR is not a complete medical record. Some services, tests, and medical advice that you have received at the facility may be marked as sensitive information. To obtain a complete copy of your medical record, contact your facility.

How do I correct information in my IHS Medical Record?

Changes to your medical record must be reported to your health care team, by doing the following:
  1. Download the Request for Correction/Amendment of Protected Health Information (PHI).
  2. Fill out the top part of the form.
  3. Sign and date the form in black ink.
  4. Take the form to your medical records department.
You will be notified when your request is reviewed. This may take up to ten days.

How do I refill a prescription in PHR?

You can request refills from PHR for prescriptions that were initially filled by a pharmacy at an IHS facility. Please note that not all facilities participate in the PHR Medication Refill Request service.
  1. Click the Medications menu item in the top menu.
  2. Click Request Refill and review the information on the Medication Refill Request form.
  3. Click Submit.
The Request Refill button will display Pending when your prescription information is received by the pharmacy. If a refill request cannot be submitted for any reason, the Refill Status will display Call Pharmacy.

Since PHR does not receive information about when a prescription is filled by the pharmacy, call the pharmacy to confirm your prescription is ready for pickup.

Note: Only the patient may request a prescription refill. A Patient's Personal Representative is not authorized to request refills on behalf of a patient.

What are Secure Messages?

Secure messages allow you to send and receive personal information to your health care team securely. When you send a secure message to your health care team, the message will be delivered to a designated agent at the facility. The agent may share your message with your health care team.

How soon can I expect a response to my secure message?

Response times may vary depending on the message content, the care team’s preferred method of responding, and the facility’s policies. Secure messages should only be used for your health information. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

Can I use the PHR on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, PHR is mobile device friendly. We are making additional improvements to modernize the user interface to enhance user experience.

Can I see my health information from more than one clinic or hospital?

Yes, you can see your health information from more than one health care facility. When you login to PHR, you will be asked to choose which facility’s information you would like to view.

Can I add information to my PHR?

This feature is not available at this time.

Can I grant others access to my PHR data?

Yes, you can grant others access to view your PHR. A person you have granted access to your account is called a personal representative. Use the Manage Accounts feature to add, change, or remove the personal representative’s access to your PHR data.

Note: Before you can grant someone access to view your PHR data, they must register to use PHR.

Can I view all my family members’ health information from my PHR?

This feature is not available at this time. Each adult family member will need to have their own PHR account. Each adult family member will need to grant you access to view their PHR data.

Can a parent/guardian establish a PHR account for their minor child (18 years and under)?

No. A provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 may prohibit parents/guardians from having access to a minor patient’s health records. Therefore, IHS policy is not to allow parents any access to a minor’s health records through PHR.

Parents/guardians can contact the Health Information Management (HIM) Office at their facility to determine if they may have alternate access to their child’s records.

If a minor holds an emancipation order and wishes to have a PHR account, they must bring a copy of the order to the PHR administrator at their facility. They must also have one of the following documents to verify their identity: Driver's License or Government/State issued ID, Tribal Identification Card, or Employment Identification Card/Badge.

Is my health information safe?

Yes, your health information is secure. You should use caution when viewing or downloading your health information on a shared or public computer.