> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.decodahealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import & Merge Patients

> Bulk upload patient records from CSV files and merge duplicate patient records.

<Info>
  These features are available from the main **Patients** page using the **Upload** and **Merge** buttons.
</Info>

## Import Patients from CSV

Bulk upload patient records from a CSV file. From the **Patients** page, click the **Upload** button.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Upload Type">
    Choose the type of upload:

    * **Contact Upload** -- imports basic patient information (name, phone, email, address, etc.).
    * **Collections Upload** -- imports patient records with outstanding balance data for billing purposes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Your CSV File">
    Drag and drop a CSV file or click to browse. The file is parsed and validated immediately. The system checks for:

    * Valid CSV format
    * Required columns present
    * Data type validation on each row
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map Columns">
    The **Column Mapper** shows each CSV column on the left and a dropdown on the right to map it to a Decoda field. The system automatically suggests mappings based on column name similarity. Fields are organized into three tiers:

    * **Required** -- `first_name` and `phone_number` must be mapped.
    * **Recommended** -- `email`, `last_name`, `external_id`, and `gender` are strongly suggested.
    * **Optional** -- `date_of_birth`, `address`, `address_line_two`, `city`, `state`, `zip_code`, `outstanding_balance`, `balance_description`, `external_charge_id`, `external_charge_created_date`, and `full_name`.

    If you upload CSV files regularly, you can **save your column mapping** for reuse. Saved mappings can be set as the default so they auto-apply on future uploads.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Patient Identifiers">
    Choose which fields the system should use to match incoming rows to existing patients (to prevent duplicates). Options include external ID, phone number, email, and name combinations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure File Rules">
    Set additional options such as whether to update existing patient records when a match is found or skip duplicate rows.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and Upload">
    Review the validation summary showing any errors or warnings. Click **Upload** to begin the import. You are redirected to the **Upload History** page where you can monitor progress.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Click **View Upload History** (clock icon in the top-right of the upload page) to see all past imports with their status and results.

## Merge Duplicate Patients

From the **Patients** page, click the **Merge** button, or select multiple patients and click **Merge** from the bulk action bar.

### Find Duplicates Automatically

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Match Fields">
    If you navigated to the merge page without preselected patients, the **Find Duplicates** screen appears. Select one or more fields to check for matches:

    * First Name
    * Last Name
    * Date of Birth
    * Phone Number
    * Email
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Click **Find Duplicates**. The system scans your patient database and groups matching records together.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Duplicate Groups">
    Each group shows the matched patients side by side. The patient on the right is marked as the **Primary** record -- this is the record that will be kept. All other records in the group will be merged into it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Primary Record">
    Click on any patient card on the left side to swap it to the primary position. Choose the record with the most complete and accurate data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Merge Options">
    * **Void Other Charges** -- check this box to void all outstanding charges on the duplicate records being merged. Leave unchecked to transfer them to the primary record.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Merge">
    Click **Merge Patients**. All appointments, charges, notes, forms, documents, and other data from the duplicate records are transferred to the primary patient. The duplicate records are removed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Merge Restrictions:** Patients cannot be merged if they have different email addresses **and** different phone numbers. At least one of these identifiers must match or be absent for the merge to proceed.
</Info>