SMS Opt-In & Consent

SMS Opt-In & Consent Overview

CLS Health offers an optional SMS text messaging program so patients can receive appointment reminders and communicate with their clinic. Enrollment is completely voluntary.

Consent to receive SMS messages is optional and is not required to schedule an appointment, register as a patient, receive treatment, or receive any CLS Health service.

Patients who choose to opt in may receive messages such as appointment reminders, appointment confirmations, scheduling and rescheduling updates, care coordination, follow-up communications, and other healthcare-related notifications.

How Patients Opt In

Patients provide consent using either of the two methods below. A phone number alone does not enroll a patient — the patient must take an affirmative action.

Method 1 — Written consent (New Patient Registration Form)

1. The patient begins the CLS Health New Patient Registration Form during intake or registration.
2. On the form, the patient sees a separate, optional SMS consent box that is unchecked by default.
3. The patient actively checks the box to agree to receive SMS text messages.
4. The patient may leave the box unchecked and still complete registration and receive care.

Below is a sample of the SMS consent section exactly as it appears on the printed CLS Health New Patient Registration Form:

This is a sample image of the consent section on our paper New Patient Registration Form, shown here so patients can preview the exact language. Patients provide consent by checking this box on the actual registration form during intake — not on this web page.

Method 2 — Verbal consent (during scheduling)

During an appointment scheduling call or an in-person visit, a CLS Health staff member reads the SMS disclosure to the patient, including message types, that message frequency may vary, that message and data rates may apply, and that the patient may reply STOP to opt out or HELP for assistance. The staff member confirms the patient understands that SMS consent is optional. The patient must verbally agree before SMS messaging is enabled, and the consent, mobile number, date, and time are documented in the patient record.

Program Disclosures

• Message types: Appointment reminders, appointment confirmations, scheduling updates, care coordination, follow-up communications, and other healthcare-related notifications.
• Message frequency: Message frequency may vary based on the patient’s appointments and healthcare needs.
• Cost: Message and data rates may apply.
• Opt out: Reply STOP to any message to stop receiving SMS messages at any time.
• Help: Reply HELP for assistance, or call CLS Health at (281) 724-1860.
• Privacy: CLS Health does not share SMS opt-in information or consent with third parties for their marketing purposes. Information may be shared only with service providers that help deliver the messages.

Sample Messages

“CLS Health: Reminder of your appointment with Dr. Smith on July 20 at 2:00 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for assistance.”

“CLS Health: Your appointment request has been received. A member of our team will contact you shortly to confirm scheduling details. Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for assistance.”