For Patients: Hixny Improves Your Care
Your healthcare team relies on Hixny for easy, real-time access to your health records to give you the best-informed, most cost-effective care in every setting in New York State.
Secure records. Easy access. Better healthcare.
Like most New York State residents, you probably see more than one healthcare provider. A primary care provider for routine care. Maybe a specialist for something like asthma. And, rarely, urgent care for a sprain or the emergency room for something more serious.
Since the beginning of medicine, doctors have shared patient records. First on paper. Then by fax. When electronic health records came into being, by email. And for the last 20 years or so, the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY) has given providers a secure way to view patient records from participating providers without the back-and-forth.
Each doctor who interacts with your electronic record in their system shares their updates automatically available through the SHIN-NY with any other providers you see. It saves time for you and your healthcare team, improves the quality of care you receive, and helps the state identify and address public health concerns like illness outbreaks or natural disaster recovery.
Please Note
- Hixny connects your providers' electronic health records to the SHIN-NY.
- Hixny never has nor stores copies of your medical records.
- Hixny cannot change, modify or delete data from your health records.
- If information in your health records seems to be incorrect, ask one of your healthcare providers to correct or verify that information, either at your next visit or by calling them.
Do your providers have your consent to use Hixny?
When you visit any healthcare provider connected to the SHIN-NY, their staff will ask a version of this question. New York State regulations require you to agree that they can access your records electronically—or they cannot do so.
Most healthcare facilities will ask you for consent during the check-in process and have you sign an electronic pad. Some may use a paper form instead, or even text you before your visit. You can always take back your consent for a provider to view your records through the SHIN-NY. These are examples of the consent forms you might be given to gain or revoke consent.
If you don't want any providers to use Hixny or the SHIN-NY to see your records, please download, complete, and submit a Hixny-Wide Denial of Access Form. Some limitations apply.
Hixny is a lifesaver in the emergency room
When seconds count, Hixny and the SHIN-NY give emergency medicine teams access to your most up-to-date health records from around the state.
If you can't communicate, and medical staff don't know if they have your consent to access your records electronically, they can "break the glass" to ensure your safe care. This decision is not made lightly. It is always documented, and their actions are audited to be sure proper procedures were followed.
Hixny ensures that our connected providers follow all SHIN-NY Privacy & Security Policies and Procedures, including those on consent and exceptions to the consent rules.
We're protecting your personal health information
Hixny is a non-profit organization, not a government agency. However, like your providers, we are responsible for keeping your health information safe. In particular, we are bound by the data privacy and security requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
If you have any concerns about specific healthcare facilities accessing your information electronically through Hixny and the SHIN-NY, please contact us and request an audit for the facility and time period of concern.
See the same information your providers do with My Health Record NY
Providers around the state are using My Health Record NY, powered by Hixny, to share information through the SHIN-NY with patients like you. Learn more about it, or sign in with your provider's invitation now.
Go to My Health Record NYPage last updated March 2026
