Let’s Talk About Texting!

Before we start texting, let’s chat about privacy

Think about this: How many times have you texted your family about super private stuff? Maybe it was about that embarrassing rash, your secret birthday plans, or that awkward family drama at Thanksgiving. You probably didn’t think twice about hitting “send,” right?

Well, your medical information deserves at least the same level of thought as Aunt Marge’s opinions on your dating life! 

Here at Tap Telehealth provided by MD Health Pathways, we take your privacy EXTREMELY seriously. And while we’d love to simply text back and forth without any fuss (because who enjoys extra steps?), we want to be totally transparent about what happens when you text us.

Your texts to us are kind of like sending a postcard through the mail rather than a sealed letter – the postal workers could read it if they wanted to. Similarly, cellular companies could see your text messages as they zip through their networks before reaching our super-secure systems.

So what does this mean for you?

It means we want to give you options! You can either:

1. Use our fancy, password-protected patient portal (the digital equivalent of a locked safe)
2. OR text us the regular way, understanding that it’s not quite as secure (but let’s be honest, it’s way more convenient)

What You Should Know About Text Message Privacy

While our internal systems and servers are fully HIPAA-compliant (that’s the law that protects your health info), text messages travel through cellular networks operated by third-party carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) before reaching our secure systems. These cellular carriers are not required to maintain HIPAA compliance, which means:

1. Text messages may not be encrypted during transmission (fancy talk for “they’re not in a secret code”)
2. Messages could potentially be intercepted, stored, or accessed by unauthorized parties (like that one scene in every spy movie)
3. Your cellular provider may retain copies of messages on their servers (they’re kind of nosy that way)
4. Your device may display message previews that others could see (hello, notification peek-a-boo!)
5. If your phone is lost, stolen, or accessed by others, your health information in text messages could be compromised (and nobody wants their medical history going viral)

The Super-Secure Alternative: Our Patient Portal

If texting were a house, it would have screen doors. Our Patient Portal is like Fort Knox! We offer this completely HIPAA-compliant communication method, which:

• Uses encryption for all communications (like secret agent-level coding)
• Requires password protection (no “password123” please!)
• Maintains complete privacy and security of your health information (locked down tight!)
• Complies with all HIPAA requirements (making our lawyers very happy)

We strongly recommend using the Patient Portal for sharing sensitive health information (especially anything you wouldn’t want announced over a mall loudspeaker).

Important Information About Your Medical Texts

For us to provide you with the best possible care, we need complete and accurate information about your health. This includes sensitive details that are important for medical decision-making.

• DO share all relevant medical information with us – we need this to make proper medical decisions for your care
• We understand some information is sensitive (mental health details, substance use history, HIV status, etc.), but this information is often critical for proper diagnosis and treatment
• While texting isn’t perfectly secure, your comprehensive health information is essential for us to provide quality care
• If you’re concerned about sharing highly sensitive information via text, remember our Patient Portal offers enhanced security for these communications
• Consider deleting messages after they’ve been received and addressed (like those texts you don’t want your significant other to accidentally see)
• Lock your phone! (Because your personal medical information deserves protection)

Legal Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

Tap Telehealth provided by MD Health Pathways implements reasonable and appropriate safeguards in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), as amended, including the HITECH Act and implementing regulations, to protect your Protected Health Information (“PHI”) and follows established protocols designed to ensure your privacy within our systems.

However, due to the inherent limitations of SMS technology and third-party cellular carrier networks that are outside of our control and not subject to HIPAA compliance requirements, we cannot and do not guarantee the security, confidentiality, or integrity of any information while in transit through such networks. You expressly acknowledge and assume all risks associated with the use of SMS communications for healthcare-related information.

By providing your consent to SMS communications, you:

1. Waive any claims against Tap Telehealth provided by MD Health Pathways arising solely from the interception or unauthorized access to SMS communications by third parties outside of our direct control;
2. Acknowledge that SMS communications may not meet the standards for Protected Health Information as defined under applicable federal and state laws;
3. Accept that certain communications may not be encrypted, secure, or protected during transmission through cellular carrier networks;
4. Understand that this consent supersedes any prior agreements regarding SMS communications and remains in effect until explicitly revoked in writing.

This consent remains in effect until you notify us in writing of your desire to revoke it. (Translation: We’ll keep texting until you tell us to stop!)