RESOURCE COLLECTION
Avatar user support and resources
Information, resources, and support for SFDPH Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Avatar system users.
Department of Public HealthAbout Avatar
Behavioral Health Services uses Avatar, an electronic health record (EHR), to enter clinical and service information such as assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and medications. In addition, Avatar captures client health insurance information required to produce claims to Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other insurers, and to support managed care functions.
NOTE: Most of the mental health and substance use services that were previously documented in Avatar by Behavioral Health Services have transitioned to the Epic EHR.
Technical Support
If you're an Avatar user, please contact the Avatar Help Desk at 628-217-5196 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday or email Avatarhelp@sfdph.org.
Documents
Read-Only Access - July 1 to September 30, 2026
Avatar SUS providers who transitioned to Epic on 05/07/2026 will have read-only access to Avatar from July 1 to September 30, 2026 (see Avatar Bulletin - EHR Conversion Deadlines).
Avatar Accounts
With the transition of Substance Use Services from Avatar to Epic on May 27, 2026, new Avatar account requests are no longer being accepted (see Avatar Bulletin).
EXCEPTION: If you are a member of a group that continues to access Avatar and need an Avatar account after the May 27 transition, please contact avataraccounts@sfdph.org for assistance.
Resources
Documents
NIAM, a two-factor authentication system, allowing users to log in to Avatar NX from any browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari) will be implemented on Monday, August 4, 8:30 AM.