Text messaging is one of the most convenient and well-read messaging channels. That’s why medical providers of all kinds are turning to SMS for appointment reminders.
If you’re looking for some HIPAA-compliant text message reminder templates to copy and paste for your patients, you’re in the right place. This blog will provide 42 free HIPAA-compliant text message reminders for medical specialties of all kinds.
Jump right to:
- Are text appointment reminders HIPAA compliant?
- 42 free HIPAA-compliant text reminder templates
- The core components of a HIPAA-compliant appointment reminder
<h2 id="Are">Are text appointment reminders HIPAA compliant?</h2>
Yes! With proper tools, safeguards, and disclosures, text message appointment reminders are HIPAA compliant. To ensure they are HIPAA compliant, you must do the following:
- Get consent to text patients. This is crucial for texting to be considered HIPAA compliant. You must obtain consent to text patients and inform them that texting may not be a fully secure method of communication.
- Use a HIPAA-compliant texting platform. HIPAA-compliant SMS platforms have the proper technical safeguards in place to protect patient data within the platform. For example, Textline’s secure platform utilizes end-to-end encryption and user access controls to ensure that healthcare organizations can message in a HIPAA-compliant manner.
- Sign a BAA with your texting provider. You must sign a Business Associate Agreement with your texting platform that outlines how a business associate will handle and safeguard protected health information (PHI) on behalf of your organization.
<h2 id="Templates">42 free HIPAA-compliant text reminders by medical specialty</h2>
Here, we’ll dive into several HIPAA-compliant text message reminders you can use for your medical practice. We specifically selected examples by medical specialty to ensure you have a HIPAA-compliant appointment reminder or care adherence reminder template that suits your needs.
Behavioral health
Use one of these HIPAA-compliant text templates to remind patients to take medication, do their therapy homework, or attend their therapy appointments online or in-person. This can work for private practice therapists or group practice therapists..
Hi [Name]. Please remember to take your prescribed medication as discussed in your last session.
Hi [Name]. This is your friendly reminder to complete your therapy homework before our next session.
Hi [Name]. Your therapy appointment is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Please reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.
Dermatology
From routine skin checks to follow-up appointments on eczema, use one of our HIPAA-compliant SMS templates to remind patients to attend or take preventive measures, such as using sunscreen.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder of your skin check appointment on [Date/Time]. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Hi [Name]. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen today to protect your skin. See you at your appointment on [Date/Time].
Hi [Name]. Your follow-up for [Condition] is on [Date/Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.
Hospice and palliative medicine
Many hospice organizations utilize HIPAA-compliant SMS reminders to keep families and their patients informed about ways to manage pain and nurse arrival windows.
Hi [Name]. Your nurse will arrive between [Time Range] today. Please ensure someone is available to greet them.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder to review today’s comfort care plan. Your care team is here if you have questions.
Hi [Name]. Pain relief check-in: Please let us know if your symptoms change before your scheduled visit.
Pediatrics
When it comes to pediatric medicine, it’s best to keep parents informed about their children’s appointments. Use one of these reminders to ensure that appointments are attended or rescheduled in advance.
Hi [Parent Name]. [Child Name] has an appointment on [Date/Time]. Please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.
Hi [Parent Name]. If you need to reschedule [Child Name]’s visit on [Date], reply R to this message.
Hi [Parent Name]. Reminder: [Child Name] is due for their next wellness check. Call us to schedule.
Family medicine
When you provide comprehensive medical care for patients and serve as their primary care providers, there are several reminders you can send, from scheduling an annual checkup to a quick reminder about the upcoming appointment.
Hi [Name]. Your annual check-up is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Please reply C to confirm.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder of your upcoming appointment with Dr. [Last Name] on [Date/Time].
Hi [Name]. You’re due for your preventive screening. Please call us to book your visit.
General surgery
Surgical specialists can send patients HIPAA-compliant reminders about their upcoming procedure and share any special reminders like pre-surgery prep or after-care instructions.
Hi [Name]. Please remember to follow your pre-surgery fasting instructions before your procedure on [Date/Time].
Hi [Name]. Your post-op follow-up is on [Date/Time]. Please arrive on time for optimal care.
Hi [Name]. Reminder: Bring your ID and insurance card to your surgery check-in on [Date].
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists can send patients compliant reminders about upcoming consultations, scheduled procedures, or a nudge to schedule routine colonoscopies.
Hi [Name]. Your colonoscopy is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Please follow your prep instructions carefully.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder for your GI consultation on [Date/Time]. Reply C to confirm.
Hi [Name]. You’re due for your next routine colonoscopy. Please call our office to schedule.
Oncologist
When it comes to cancer care, reminders help patients navigate the many appointments and resources available to them.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder for your oncology appointment on [Date/Time]. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Hi [Name]. You have a treatment session on [Date/Time]. Bring any updated medication list with you.
Hi [Name]. Your follow-up scan is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.
Cardiology
Cardiologists can also use reminders to keep patients informed about upcoming appointments, surgeries, and pre-procedure reminders.
Hi [Name]. Your heart health appointment is set for [Date/Time]. Please bring your medication list.
Hi [Name]. Reminder: No caffeine 12 hours before your scheduled stress test on [Date/Time].
Hi [Name]. Your procedure is on [Date/Time]. Please follow all pre-procedure instructions provided.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Women’s reproductive health specialists can benefit from reminders. Use one of these HIPAA reminders to ensure patients are informed and attend their scheduled appointments.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder for your OB/GYN appointment on [Date/Time]. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Hi [Name]. You have a prenatal visit scheduled for [Date/Time]. Bring any recent test results if available.
Hi [Name]. Your annual well-woman exam is due. Please call us to schedule your visit.
Pathology and laboratory services
Pathologists and labs can send reminders for patients about lab reviews, remind patients to look at test results, and attend specimen collection appointments.
Hi [Name]. Your specimen collection is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Please follow any prep instructions provided.
Hi [Name]. Reminder: Your pathology review appointment is on [Date/Time]. Bring any related reports.
Hi [Name]. Reminder: Your lab results are ready. Please log in to your patient portal to review them securely.
Nephrology
Nephrology specialists can send patients reminders about their kidney disease treatment and how to preserve kidney health.
Hi [Name]. Your dialysis session is on [Date/Time]. Please arrive on time for optimal care.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder to stay hydrated as advised in your last visit.
Hi [Name]. Your kidney function test is scheduled for [Date/Time]. Please follow your fasting instructions.
Emergency Medicine
In ER medicine, you can use reminders for follow up care post-visit. This ensures continuity of care.
Hi [Name]. Following your ER visit, please remember your follow-up appointment on [Date/Time].
Hi [Name]. Reminder: Continue any home care instructions given at discharge and contact us if symptoms worsen.
Hi [Name]. Your wound check is on [Date/Time]. Please bring your discharge papers.
Geriatric Medicine
Even elderly patients want to be reminded about their appointments. A text message reminder does work for this population, as an increased number of them use smartphones.
Hi [Name]. This is a reminder for your geriatric care appointment on [Date/Time]. Please bring all medications with you.
Hi [Name]. Please confirm your upcoming visit by replying C or R to reschedule.
Hi [Name]. You’re due for your mobility and balance screening. Please call our office to schedule your visit.
Looking for more inspiration? Get 35 additional HIPAA-compliant doctor appointment texting samples.
<h2 id="Components">The core components of effective HIPAA-compliant text reminders</h2>
When writing HIPAA-compliant appointment reminders, include the following information. Remember to keep your reminders short and to the point, while still including relevant information.
Send HIPAA-compliant text reminders with Textline
Textline is a HIPAA-compliant SMS platform that enables covered entities to leverage the ease, efficacy, and convenience of sending text reminders. When you choose Textline as your HIPAA-compliant texting provider, your patients won’t need to download another healthcare app. Instead, they receive messages directly on their mobile devices. These will help you cut no-shows and fill appointment gaps.
But, we know every healthcare business is unique, which is why we want to connect you with a solution consultation specialist who can discuss your needs and provide you with a pricing quote unique to your business.
Request a consultation today, and our team will schedule 1:1 time with you.
