Enabling the Patient Portal (Patient Forms Access)
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Overview
Patient intake forms in the portal are controlled by a single setting called Patient Forms Access. When it's on, patients can view and submit the five intake form sections — Personal Information, Insurance Intake, Medical History, Consent Form, and Preferences — through their portal link, and your team can review those submissions in Huddle.
When it's off (the default for a new practice), the forms experience is hidden everywhere: patients don't see the forms in the portal, and staff don't see the forms review screen in Huddle.
Good to know: This toggle governs patient forms only. Other portal capabilities — appointment confirmations and secure messaging — are part of the portal itself and are not switched on or off from this settings tab.
Who Can Change This Setting
Company Settings is available to practice owners and managers — anyone with permission to manage the practice. If you don't see the Settings gear or the Company Settings page, you likely don't have the required permission; ask an owner or office manager.
How to Enable Patient Forms
Open Settings. Click the Settings (gear) option in the top-right user menu of the header. You'll land on Company Settings.
Go to the Patient Portal tab. Find it in the left-hand Company Settings menu.
Find the Patient Forms Access toggle.
Flip the toggle on.
Click Save.
That's it — patients invited to the portal can now complete their forms, and submitted forms will appear in Huddle for your team to review.
To turn forms off again, return to the same tab, flip the toggle off, and click Save.
What the Setting Controls
When Patient Forms Access is… | Patients in the portal | Staff in Huddle |
|---|---|---|
On | Can view and submit the 5 intake form sections | See the Patient Intake Forms tile and the forms review tab on appointments |
Off (default) | Do not see the forms sections | Do not see the forms tile or tab |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a master "turn the whole Patient Portal on" switch?
No. There is one setting here — Patient Forms Access — and it governs the forms experience. The portal's appointment confirmations and secure messaging aren't toggled from this screen.
Is this a paid add-on or gated behind a subscription tier?
No. The Patient Portal tab and the Patient Forms Access toggle are available in Company Settings without a separate feature purchase. The only requirement is permission to reach Company Settings (owner or manager).
Where exactly is this setting?
Settings → Company Settings → Patient Portal tab → Patient Forms Access.
I turned it on but a patient still can't see their forms. What should I check?
Confirm you clicked Save after flipping the toggle, and make sure the patient is opening a current (non-expired) portal link. See Sharing a Patient’s Portal Link.
Does turning this off delete forms patients already submitted?
No. Turning the setting off hides the forms experience going forward; it doesn't erase information patients already provided.