Patient Legal and Preferred Names

In some cases, your patient will preferred to be called something other than their given/legal name. However, for legal and billing purposes, you will still need to have their legal name on file. Typically this is the name that is listed on the patient's insurance card. 

You can add both the patient's preferred name, and their legal name, to their patient profile. 

Adding and Editing a Patient Name 

When you manually add a patient to Healthie, you will be required to enter a first and last name. 

This patient first and last name will render and auto-fill across the platform. Scheduling, Charting, Billing, etc will all list this patient's first and last name as entered. 

To make adjustments to this name, navigate to the Patient's Profile > Actions > Personal Information 

Patient Preferred Name 

The First Name field in the Patient Profile reflects the patient's Preferred Name. This is the name that the patient will see in any provider-patient communication (ie. automated emails to the patient). 

Patient Legal Name 

The Legal Name field can optionally be updated to add the patients Legal FIRST Name (not full name). When populated, this is the first name that will render in CMS 1500 Claims, Invoices, and Superbills. The patient will continue to see their preferred name in automated communications, and when they log into their Healthie Patient Portal. 

How we Format Patient Names

At Healthie, we've standardized the naming format for patient names in both the patient list and patient profile. This enhancement will improve patient search, reduce confusion around patients with similar names, and increase the likelihood that the patient is referenced with the correct/preferred name.

Here's how it works:

1. Full Name Format:
   • If a patient has a preferred name, it will appear in parentheses between their first and last names.
     • Examples: Katherine (Kate) Smith, William (Bill) Jones
2. Without a Preferred Name:
   • If there is no preferred name or it matches the legal first name, only the first and last names will be shown.
     • Examples: Katherine Smith, William Jones
3. Display Rules:
   • When multiple names are displayed, both the full legal name and the preferred name (if any) will be shown.
   • When only one name is displayed, the preferred name will be used if available.

This standardization ensures each patient is referenced correctly and consistently.

Searching or Selecting Patients by Name

When searching for patients, providers can search by either Legal or Preferred name. The Preferred Name will show in parenthesis. Places in the platform where you may be prompted to select the patient's legal name include: 

• During a general search of your patient base 
• Selecting a patient for a Superbill 
• Selecting a patient for a CMS 1500 claim 
• Selecting a patient for an invoice