SMS Terms

1. Program description

When a practice turns on patient texting, PodScribe may send practice-to-patient messages on that practice's behalf. Typical messages include appointment reminders, intake-form nudges, and similar operational notices related to care at that practice (for example, that a statement is ready to view, or that there is a portal update to review).

This is not a marketing blast program from PodScribe as a brand. PodScribe does not operate a consumer marketing list. Messages are healthcare-operations notices from the treating podiatry practice to its own patients, not promotional campaigns from PodScribe.

Marketing and recall campaigns beyond clinical operations are out of scope for this program.

2. Who sends the messages

Messages come from the practice's own phone number, not from a PodScribe consumer brand number. The practice is the sender of record and the covered entity. PodScribe (PodScribe LLC, podiatry-scribe.com) is the technology vendor and a Business Associate of the practice. We operate the software the practice uses to send the message.

If you have a question about an appointment, a bill, or a text you received, contact the practice named in the message. Do not treat PodScribe support as your doctor's office.

3. Opt-in is with the practice

Consent to receive texts is given to the treating practice, not to a PodScribe marketing list. Typical opt-in methods, when the practice enables texting, include:

• In-office consent (paper, tablet, or verbal confirmation recorded by staff);
• A checkbox or similar disclosure on the practice's online booking or intake forms, when those features are enabled;
• Texting START to the practice's number after the practice has told you that number is used for patient messages.

Absence of consent is treated as a refusal. You should not receive these texts unless the practice has a record of your opt-in for that channel.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

4. Message frequency

Frequency follows your scheduled care with that practice. It is not a daily promotional cadence, and we do not promise a fixed number of messages per day or per week.

A typical visit may involve a small number of operational texts: for example, a reminder before an appointment and an intake-forms nudge if the practice uses electronic intake. A practice that also uses statements or a patient portal may send occasional additional notices (statement ready, portal update). Quiet-hours and consent settings at the practice can reduce how often you hear from them.

5. Message and data rates

Message and data rates may apply. Your wireless carrier's rates for text messages and data use are between you and your carrier. PodScribe and the practice do not control those charges.

6. HELP and STOP

• HELP: Reply HELP to the practice number that sent the message. You should receive a short reply with the program name and how to contact the practice. You may also call the practice using the phone number in the message, or email support@podiatry-scribe.com for vendor/technical questions about this page.
• STOP: Reply STOP to cancel further texts from that practice number. You should receive one confirmation, after which that practice should not text that number unless you opt in again (for example by texting START, or by giving consent at the practice).
• Supported keywords typically include STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, QUIT, HELP, and START. Exact handling is configured when a practice enables SMS.

7. Privacy and related terms

How PodScribe handles patient data as a Business Associate is described in our Patient Privacy page. The staff/customer privacy policy (for visitors and practices who use PodScribe) is at Privacy Policy.

Patient-facing terms for booking and portal use, when those features are enabled, are at Patient Terms. Payment terms, when a practice enables pay links, are at Patient Payments.

This SMS program is not a substitute for the practice's own Notice of Privacy Practices. Ask your practice for that notice.

8. Contact

For the content of a text (appointment time, forms, a bill), contact the practice named in the message.

For questions about these SMS terms as PodScribe's technology vendor: support@podiatry-scribe.com.