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World-Class Retina Care. Community-Based Caring.

SMS Terms and Conditions

Program Overview

Texas Retina provides text messaging services for informational healthcare communications when patients provide documented consent. Text messages may be sent using automated messaging technology. Consenting to receive text messages is not required as a condition of receiving treatment.

Message Types

Patients may receive informational texts including:

  • Appointment reminders and confirmations
  • One-time verification codes for secure message access
  • Check-in notifications upon office arrival
  • Office closure or schedule change notifications
  • Updates directly related to your care, such as pre-visit instructions or follow-up reminders

Texas Retina does not send promotional or marketing text messages. Separate consent would be obtained before any marketing messages are sent.

Consent and HIPAA Acknowledgment

By consenting to receive text messages from Texas Retina, you acknowledge the following:

  • SMS is not a fully secure communication method and may present privacy risks.
  • Messages may be read by unauthorized persons, intercepted during transmission, or stored in an unsecure manner by your mobile carrier or on your device.
  • A secure alternative is available through our patient portal.
  • After being informed of these risks and the availability of a secure alternative, you voluntarily consent to receive text communications.

Your consent will be documented in your patient record, including the date, method, and scope of consent provided. SMS consent is not shared with third parties.

You agree to notify Texas Retina promptly if you change your mobile phone number, discontinue your mobile service, or transfer your number to another person. Texas Retina is not responsible for messages sent to a number that has been reassigned.

A parent, legal guardian, or other person authorized under applicable law to act on a patient’s behalf may consent to receive text messages on the patient’s behalf. The authorized representative must provide his or her own mobile phone number and will be subject to the same terms described in this policy.

Consent Methods

Patients may consent to receive text messages through:

  • Written consent on an intake or registration form
  • Electronic opt-in through the patient portal
  • Verbal consent documented in the patient’s record by a staff member

Consent will be retained in accordance with applicable laws and recordkeeping requirements.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your appointment schedule, account activity, and care needs.

Costs

Message and data rates may apply. Texas Retina does not charge for text messages, but your mobile carrier’s rates may apply.

Opt-Out

You may opt out of text messages at any time by:

STOP requests will be processed immediately or as soon as reasonably possible. Other opt-out requests may take up to 10 business days to process.

After replying STOP, you may receive one final confirmation message.

Opting out of text messages does not affect your access to care.

Help

For assistance, reply HELP to any message or visit our website at www.texasretina.com.

Security & Disclaimers

SMS/text messaging is not a fully secure method of communication. Texas Retina maintains commercially reasonable safeguards consistent with applicable law, including HIPAA. Texas Retina is not responsible for delayed, undelivered, or intercepted messages caused by carrier or network issues outside of our control.

Text messages will not include detailed medical information and will be limited to the minimum information necessary for their stated purpose.

Privacy

Your phone number and messaging data are used solely for the purposes described above. We will not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policies and applicable federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

For questions regarding these SMS Terms & Conditions, call 800-695-6941 or visit Texas Retina’s Contact Us page.