Penn State Health will transition to Epic for our electronic health record and billing system on Oct. 31, 2026. As part of this transition, Penn State Health will also launch Penn State Health Care Link for our community partners.
What is Penn State Health Care Link?
Penn State Health Care Link is a web-based application that securely connects care teams, including community providers, with access to patients' Penn State Health electronic health records and the information needed to help manage their care.
Penn State Health Care Link provides secure access to your patient's medical record including:
- Demographics
- Insurance information
- Results
- Notes
- Problem lists
- Inpatient summaries
- Current medications
- Document uploads
Who can use Penn State Health Care Link?
- Referring physicians
- Medical office staff
- Care Coordinators
- Post-acute care and rehab providers
- Billing and administrative staff
How do we request access to Penn State Health Care Link?
Follow the three steps below to request access to Penn State Health Care Link. During the process, you’ll receive two important emails from [email protected] that require you to take action for us to complete your request. If you don’t see them in your inbox, be sure to check your junk or spam folders.
Approval typically takes two to three weeks after all required application materials are received.
1. EpicCare Link Access Agreement
Download, sign and submit the EpicCare Link Access Agreement (PDF).
What you need to do
- Download the EpicCare Link Access Agreement.
- Sign the completed form.
- Email the signed agreement to [email protected].
What happens next
- We will securely store your signed agreement.
- Your agreement will be matched to your EpicCare Link access request as part of the application process.
2. Access Request Form
Complete and submit the Access Request Form.
What you need to do
- Fill out the online Access Request Form with your practice information.
- Review and accept the required agreement.
- Verify your email address when prompted.
What happens next
- Once your form is submitted, we will begin processing your application.
3. Approval and Setup
Receive approval and complete your setup.
What you need to do
- Watch for a confirmation email once your application has been approved.
- If you are the Site Administrator, you will receive your login credentials.
- Save your confirmation email, as it contains your reference number for future inquiries.
What happens next
- After setup is complete, you can begin adding and managing users for your site.
Frequently asked questions
What are the responsibilities of the Site Administrator?
To ensure that access to Penn State Health Care Link is secure, appropriate and HIPAA-compliant, each practice/organization must designate at least two Site Administrators who are responsible for:
- Creating and managing all user accounts
- Verifying that each user has a legitimate need for access
- Immediately terminating access when a user no longer needs it or leaves the organization
What is Penn State Health Care Link?
Care Link is a secure tool that connects approved users to patient information stored in Penn State Health’s electronic health record (EHR) and revenue cycle system, Epic. When you have a patient who receives care at Penn State Health, you will be able to access their information, receive notifications and get the information you need to assist with coordinating your patient’s care.
How does Penn State Health Care Link work?
Care Link is a web portal that approved users can securely access to see information from Penn State Health regarding their patient’s health care.
Does Penn State Health Care Link replace access to the Penn State Health Provider Portal?
Yes. Care Link will take the place of Penn State Health Provider Portal starting Oct. 31.
What are benefits of using Penn State Health Care Link?
- Easier patient referrals: Care Link provides the ability to place orders — such as lab, radiology and referrals — through Penn State Health’s system, while allowing the referring provider to maintain a role in the coordination of patient care.
- Real-time updates: Automatic messages allow you to see the latest information about care your patient is receiving. You receive “In Basket” messages when an event involves one of your patients. Examples of events include Emergency Department (ED) arrivals, admissions and discharges.
- Interactive messaging: In Basket, Epic’s integrated task management and communication system, provides a solution for secure electronic communication between Penn State Health and community care teams.
Who can sign up for Penn State Health Care Link?
External (non-Penn State Health) community providers and their clinic staff (both clinical and non-clinical) can request access to Care Link.
Example: A community provider who is not credentialed within Penn State Health but occasionally refers patients to Penn State Health and needs access to review information for their referred patients, and to send referrals.
Can Penn State Health Care Link providers contact the Penn State Health provider who treated a patient with questions about test results?
Yes. Care Link users can directly communicate with a patient’s Penn State Health care team by using “In Basket.” This tool should be used for non-time-sensitive items. It is also important to note that “In Basket” messages are considered written communication that may be subject to disclosure in legal proceedings.
When I place an order electronically, do I have to look in Penn State Health Care Link for the results?
Results for orders requested through Penn State Health will be found in the Care Link In-Basket. If a provider prefers fax, contact the Penn State Health Service Desk at 833-577-4357 to request faxing.
Can Penn State Health Care Link users view a patient’s insurance information?
Yes. The patient’s insurance is under the demographics section.
Are referring providers able to place imaging orders and have results available to them?
Yes. If imaging is available with the results, the providers will receive a link and will be able to view them.
Is there training available for Penn State Health Care Link?
Yes. Online training videos are embedded into Care Link upon log in.
How long does it take to get an account?
Setting up your new Penn State Health Care Link account should take approximately one week after the EpicCare Link Access Agreement is approved. We anticipate a high demand for new accounts in the first few weeks of making registration available and will appreciate our partners’ patience as we work through those initial requests. Oct. 10 is the deadline to request an account for guaranteed access at the Oct. 31 go-live. Site requests submitted after Oct. 10 may experience a delay and be onboarded after go-live on Oct. 31. All efforts will be made to process access requests received as quickly as possible.
Who do I contact for support if Penn State Health Care Link is not working as expected?
If Care Link is not working as expected, contact your facility's Site Administrator. Each site should have two Site Administrators who can assist with basic account setup, login issues and simple troubleshooting. If the Site Administrator is unable to resolve the issue, contact Penn State Health Information Services at 833-577-4357 for further assistance.