In order to receive text communications from ChiroUp (like appointment reminders or health questionnaires), patients must be opted in to Transactional SMS.
What is Transactional SMS?
Transactional SMS messages are automated, non-marketing text messages sent in order to provide essential information about a specific transaction or interaction. In ChiroUp, this would be texts like appointment reminders and health questionnaires.
Healthcare providers are permitted to send patients limited transactional messages under implied consent. This means that when a patient enrolls in your clinic, you may initiate essential two-way communications related to their care (e.g., appointment reminders, scheduling changes, etc)
⚠️ However, for unlimited transactional texting, clinics should obtain formal patient consent. This consent may be obtained:
Verbally (documented in the patient record), or
In writing (as part of intake or consent forms).
How do I document Transactional SMS consent in ChiroUp?
You can indicate consent has been obtained when you are adding a new patient.
(Hint: you need to have a Mobile Number entered to see this field).
Additionally, you can manage Consent to Transactional SMS messaging at anytime in the General tab of the Patient Record.
Navigate to a patient's record and click the Edit button.
Scroll down to see the Transaction SMS Consent field.
💡Pro Tip:
Consent to SMS messaging is managed per phone number. This means that if patients share a phone number (families, for example), then if you opt in or out on one record for Transactional SMS, then all patients who share that number will also have their consent updated accordingly.
How do I ask a patient for their consent to SMS Messaging?
Here is a sample script you can use when obtaining consent from new patients:
We like to send patients helpful text appointment reminders and occasional account notifications. These messages are not marketing — they’re just for your care here at the clinic. Is it okay if we send you appointment reminders and account notifications by text message?