SMS Terms & Consent

Program Description

Beyond Health may send SMS/text messages to the mobile number you provide for practice-related purposes, including:

• Appointment confirmations and reminders;
• Scheduling and rescheduling;
• Follow-up communications;
• Office notifications and practice updates;
• Billing and payment notifications;
• Care-team and patient-service communications;
• Administrative communications related to your care or account; and
• Responses to messages or requests you initiate with our office.

SMS/text messaging should never be used for a medical emergency. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

How You May Opt In

You may consent to receive SMS/text messages from Beyond Health through one or more affirmative methods, including:

• Checking or clicking an SMS consent box on our website, patient intake forms, or other electronic forms;
• Providing written or electronic consent;
• Providing verbal consent to a Beyond Health staff member, which may be documented in your patient or communication record;
• Initiating a text-message conversation with Beyond Health and requesting or agreeing to communicate by SMS;
• Texting a practice-issued keyword when requested; or
• Otherwise affirmatively requesting or agreeing to receive SMS communications from Beyond Health.

Providing your telephone number alone does not necessarily constitute consent to receive every category of SMS communication.

Beyond Health's existing patient intake process separately asks patients whether the practice may call, email, or send text messages regarding appointments.

Consent Is Optional

Consent to receive SMS/text messages is not a condition of receiving medical treatment, becoming or remaining a patient, or purchasing goods or services from Beyond Health.

If you choose not to receive text messages, you may communicate with the practice through other available communication methods.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your appointments, care, account activity, and communications with the practice.

Most patients may receive a few messages per month, although frequency may be higher or lower depending upon individual circumstances. Automated appointment reminders may be sent in advance of scheduled visits.

Message & Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply depending on your wireless carrier and mobile plan.

Beyond Health does not separately charge patients for receiving SMS messages from the practice. However, your wireless carrier's standard messaging, data, or other charges may apply.

You are responsible for charges imposed by your wireless carrier.

Opting Out

You may withdraw your consent to receive SMS/text messages at any time.

You may opt out by:

• Replying STOP to a text message from Beyond Health;
• Contacting the Beyond Health office and requesting that SMS communications be discontinued; or
• Communicating your request through another reasonable method available to you.

After texting STOP, you may receive a final confirmation message acknowledging your opt-out request.

After your opt-out has been processed, you will no longer receive routine or promotional SMS communications covered by your withdrawal unless you subsequently provide consent again.

Opting out of SMS communications does not terminate your status as a patient or prevent you from communicating with Beyond Health through other available methods.

HELP & Assistance

Where supported, reply HELP for assistance.

You may also contact Beyond Health directly:

Re-Enrolling in SMS

If you previously opted out and later wish to receive SMS communications again, you may contact Beyond Health or otherwise provide new affirmative consent to receive text messages.

Privacy

Your privacy is important to Beyond Health.

Beyond Health does not sell your mobile telephone number or SMS consent information.

Mobile telephone numbers and SMS consent information are not sold or shared with unrelated third parties for their independent marketing or promotional purposes.

Information may be provided to service providers acting on behalf of Beyond Health when reasonably necessary to deliver text messages, operate practice systems, or provide healthcare-related services, subject to applicable privacy, security, and contractual requirements.

For additional information regarding how Beyond Health handles personal and health information, please review our Privacy Policy & HIPAA Notice.

SMS & Health Information

SMS/text messages may not always be encrypted or completely secure.

Messages or notifications may potentially be viewed by anyone who has access to your telephone, lock screen, wireless account, or synchronized devices.

By choosing to communicate with Beyond Health through SMS, you acknowledge the privacy risks inherent in standard text messaging.

Protected health information communicated through SMS will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and Beyond Health's privacy practices.

Supported Carriers & Delivery

SMS delivery is generally supported by major U.S. wireless carriers. However, message delivery, availability, and timing are not guaranteed and may depend upon your wireless carrier, mobile device, network availability, telephone number status, and other factors outside Beyond Health's control.

Beyond Health and participating wireless carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Changes to SMS Terms

Beyond Health may periodically update these SMS Terms to reflect changes in our communication practices, technology, services, or applicable requirements.

Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective or last-updated date when appropriate.

Questions

For questions regarding SMS/text messaging, communication preferences, or assistance with opting in or out, contact: