Email and text messaging allows health care providers to exchange information efficiently for the benefit of our clients. At the same time, we recognize that email and text messaging are not a completely secure means of communication because these messages can be addressed to the wrong person or accessed improperly while in storage or during transmission. 

HIPAA requires that providers take reasonable steps to protect against these risks but acknowledges that a balance must be struck between the need to secure protected health information (PHI) and the need to ensure that clinicians can efficiently exchange important care information. Tomorrow and Beyond, PLLC has implemented such measures through obtaining informed consent from clients using any potentially unencrypted electronic format.  For more information, please check out our Practice Policies (insert link)

Please practice discretion and best judgment when using email or text messaging. Most common and appropriate uses of these forms of communication include: 

1. Scheduling or rescheduling appointments

2. Providing customer service

Email or text messaging should not be used for:

1. Emergency situations. Under these circumstances, call 911

2. Disclosure of sensitive information that should otherwise be discussed during regular appointments 

If you would like to use email and/or text messages that may contain your protected health information, please complete and sign this Consent below. You are not required to authorize the use of email and/or text messaging and a decision not to sign this authorization will not affect your health care in any way. If you prefer not to authorize the use of email and/or text messaging, you can reply OPT OUT at anytime and we’ll immediately stop all communication via email and/or text.