A Medical Record Number (MRN) is a unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to a patient by a specific healthcare system or facility. This number allows the organization to accurately track and manage all of your health information within its internal system. The MRN ensures that every piece of data—from lab results and diagnoses to billing statements—is correctly linked to your individual health history, preventing patient mix-ups. Since the number is unique to each hospital or clinic system, you will likely have a different MRN for every healthcare provider you visit.
Checking Your Printed Records
One of the most practical ways to find your Medical Record Number is by reviewing documents received during past appointments or stays. The MRN is usually printed clearly on official paperwork issued directly by the healthcare provider. Look first at any hospital discharge summaries or after-visit summaries following an emergency room visit or inpatient stay, as this information is almost always included on those forms.
The MRN is frequently labeled as “MRN,” “Medical Record #,” or “Patient ID” to make it easily recognizable. You can also check recent billing statements or invoices from the healthcare system; the MRN is often located near your account number, though it is a separate, permanent identifier. The MRN may also be found on the plastic identification wristband issued upon admission during a hospital stay. Additionally, appointment reminder cards or orders documents for lab work or imaging often feature the identifier for quick reference.
Using Patient Portals for Digital Access
Modern healthcare systems utilize online patient portals, such as MyChart or FollowMyHealth, which serve as secure digital hubs for health information. If you have established login credentials for the portal associated with your provider, this is often the fastest method for retrieval. Once logged into the portal website or mobile application, the MRN is commonly displayed on the main dashboard or within your personal profile settings.
The patient portal often contains a section labeled “Account Summary” or “My Profile” where your demographic information, including the MRN, is stored. If you cannot find it on the main screen, check the digital version of any After Visit Summaries (AVS), which are typically accessed under the appointments or records tab. Some healthcare systems require the MRN for the initial self-enrollment process, so if you are already a registered user, the number has been verified and stored within your account.
Direct Retrieval from Healthcare Providers
If you cannot locate the number on your documents or access the patient portal, the final step involves contacting the healthcare provider directly. The best department to call is typically the Health Information Management (HIM) team, also known as the Medical Records department, at the hospital or clinic system. These personnel are trained to handle requests for patient identifiers and health records.
Be prepared to undergo an identity verification process, which is necessary to comply with federal privacy regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). You will be asked to provide identifying information, such as your full name, date of birth, current address, and possibly the date of your last visit to that facility. Due to security protocols, staff cannot simply relay the MRN via an unverified method like a non-secure email or text message, but they will guide you through the secure steps to obtain the number.