SALISBURY — TidalHealth announced a partnership with CLEAR, the secure identity company, to streamline identity verification for patients accessing MyChart, the health system’s online patient portal, with the new option available starting November 20, 2025.
Patients can now use CLEAR’s platform to verify their identity securely when creating a new MyChart account or resetting a password directly from a mobile device or the MyChart app. This integration eliminates the previous requirement to contact TidalHealth’s MyChart support team for assistance, reducing delays in accessing personal health records, test results, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging with providers.
“Adopting CLEAR identity verification in TidalHealth MyChart ensures that our patients can access their health information quickly and securely,” said Mark Weisman, MD, MBA, Vice President of Information Technology, Chief Medical Information Officer and Chief Information Officer at TidalHealth. “This enhancement improves the patient experience by removing wait times and simplifying the account creation and password reset process.”
CLEAR employs biometric technology, primarily facial recognition via a selfie, combined with government-issued ID for initial setup. The service is opt-in only, requiring explicit consent from users, and provides transparency on data collection and usage. Existing CLEAR members, often familiar with the platform from airport security lanes, can link their account for instant verification across partnered services. New users complete a one-time enrollment by uploading a photo ID and taking a selfie, a process typically under two minutes.
Once verified through CLEAR, patients set a MyChart password compliant with TidalHealth’s standards—such as minimum length, character variety, and no reuse of recent passwords—before seamless return to the portal. This aligns with federal health privacy rules under HIPAA, ensuring protected health information remains secure while easing barriers to digital access.
TidalHealth, serving Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore and parts of Delaware and Virginia from facilities including TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, operates MyChart powered by Epic Systems, a widely used electronic health record platform. MyChart allows patients to view lab results upon release, request refills, pay bills, and communicate with care teams, supporting TidalHealth’s emphasis on patient-centered care in rural and coastal communities where travel to appointments can be challenging.
The partnership addresses common frustrations with traditional verification methods, such as knowledge-based questions that rely on credit history or public records, which can fail for individuals with limited credit or recent address changes. CLEAR’s approach, already adopted by other health systems and industries, offers an alternative that prioritizes convenience without compromising security, as biometric data is encrypted and not shared beyond verification purposes.
For patients in Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester, and surrounding counties, this update builds on TidalHealth’s ongoing digital initiatives, including telehealth expansions and integrations with devices like Apple Health for consolidated records. Support remains available through the MyChart helpline at 410-543-7450 for those preferring traditional methods or encountering issues.
CLEAR, founded in 2010 and known for expedited airport screening at over 50 locations, has expanded into healthcare, sports venues, and other sectors with its Verified identity platform. The company’s network enables reusable digital identities, reducing redundant verifications. TidalHealth’s adoption reflects a growing trend among providers to leverage such tools amid rising demand for remote access, exacerbated by post-pandemic shifts toward virtual care.
Patients encountering the new option will see prompts during signup or password recovery on mychart.tidalhealth.org, with choices to use CLEAR or existing processes like activation codes from clinic visits. This flexibility accommodates varying comfort levels with technology in a region spanning urban Salisbury to remote areas like Crisfield or Pocomoke City.
TidalHealth’s implementation, detailed in recent updates to MyChart login pages, underscores commitments to accessibility under Maryland health regulations and federal meaningful use standards for electronic records. By minimizing support calls—previously handled by staff for identity proofs—this frees resources for other patient needs while enhancing satisfaction scores, a key metric for hospitals.