Terms and Conditions

By opting in to receive SMS text messages and/or phone calls from Orthopedic Institute, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

Program Description

This program is used to send and receive SMS text messages and phone calls on behalf of Orthopedic Institute to existing patients who have opted in, including for purposes such as appointment reminders, scheduling, and other account or service notifications. All participants in this program are patients who have consented to text messaging and/or calling through their healthcare provider. Messages and calls are informational and transactional only, and are sent only to patients who have consented to receive them from the practice.

Service Provider

Orthopedic Institute may partner with one or more third-party communications platforms (“Service Providers”) to deliver SMS text messages and to place or receive phone calls (inbound and outbound) on Orthopedic Institute’s behalf as part of this program. When you receive a text message or call under this program, or when you call us, it may be sent, placed, received, or routed by a Service Provider acting as Orthopedic Institute’s authorized agent. Orthopedic Institute may use more than one Service Provider at the same time, and may add, change, or replace a Service Provider at any time without prior notice to you. Any personal information you provide through this program (such as your phone number, message responses, and call recordings) may be processed by our Service Providers solely for the purpose of delivering this program’s services, in accordance with Orthopedic Institute’s privacy policy.

A. SMS Text Messaging Terms

1. Consent to Receive Text Messages: By texting the keyword you affirmatively consent to receive automated and/or recurring text messages from Orthopedic Institute, sent via the messaging platform of one of our Service Providers. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving any care, treatment, or services from Orthopedic Institute, and you may use our services without enrolling in this program.
2. Opt-Out of Text Messages: You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text “STOP” to the short code. After you send the SMS message “STOP” to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, simply sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.
3. Help & Support: If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program, you can get help directly at 605.331.5890 and ask for a representative.
4. Carrier Liability: Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
5. Message & Data Rates: As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.

B. Outbound Voice Call Terms

1. Consent to Receive Calls: By providing your phone number and opting in, you consent to receive outbound phone calls from Orthopedic Institute, placed by one of our Service Providers on Orthopedic Institute’s behalf, at the number provided. These calls may include an automatic telephone dialing system, an artificial or prerecorded voice, and/or an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Consent to receive calls is not a condition of receiving any care, treatment, or services from Orthopedic Institute.
2.Purpose of Calls: Calls made under this program may include, but are not limited to, (e.g., appointment reminders, notifications, scheduling, cancellations, billing). Calls will relate to the services described in this program and will not include marketing calls unless separately authorized.
3. Opt-Out of Calls: You can opt out of receiving calls at any time. Please note that opting out of calls does not automatically opt you out of SMS messages, and opting out of SMS messages does not automatically opt you out of calls; each channel must be cancelled separately.
4. Calling Hours: Calls will generally be placed between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in your local time zone, consistent with applicable law.
5. Wireless & Landline Numbers: These terms apply regardless of whether the phone number you provide is a wireless (mobile) or landline number. Standard call charges from your telephone service provider may apply.

C. Inbound Voice Call Terms

1. Receiving Your Calls: When you call Orthopedic Institute at a number associated with this program, your call may be answered, recorded, or routed by one of our Service Providers using an automated attendant, an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or a live representative, acting on Orthopedic Institute’s behalf.
2. Purpose of Inbound Calls: Inbound calls to this program are used to assist with matters such as appointment scheduling, questions about this program, and related patient service needs.
3. Call Recording: Calls to or from Orthopedic Institute under this program may be recorded or monitored by us or our Service Providers for quality assurance, training, and record-keeping purposes, where permitted by applicable law.

D. General Terms (Apply to SMS and Calls)

1. No Purchase Necessary: No purchase is necessary to participate in this program. Standard eligibility requirements for Orthopedic Institute’s services apply separately from enrollment in this SMS/calling program.
2. Phone Number Changes: You agree to notify Orthopedic Institute promptly if you change or deactivate your phone number. Orthopedic Institute is not liable for messages or calls sent to a phone number that has been reassigned, deactivated, or otherwise changed without notice to us.
3. Age Requirement: You must be 18 years of age or older (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to enroll in this program. By opting in, you confirm that you are the account holder for the phone number provided, or that you have the account holder’s permission to receive messages and/or calls at that number.
4. Protected Health Information (PHI): Standard SMS text messaging is not encrypted and may not be secure. This program is intended for non-sensitive communications such as appointment reminders and general notifications. We will not send sensitive information such as diagnoses, lab results, or other protected health information via SMS, and will limit sensitive discussion on calls to what is necessary and appropriate, verifying your identity as needed. Please do not reply with sensitive personal health information via text.
5. Privacy: If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy: https://orthopedicinstitutesf.com/privacy-policy/
6. Changes to These Terms: Orthopedic Institute may update or modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on https://orthopedicinstitutesf.com/terms-and-conditions/ with an updated effective date. Your continued participation in the program after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
7. Governing Law: These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of South Dakota, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles.
8. Entire Agreement & Severability: These Terms & Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and Orthopedic Institute regarding this SMS and voice call program. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Additional Terms

Supported carriers include but are not limited to (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Boost, Cricket, MetroPCS). Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages or calls.
This program, and all content and materials associated with it, may be modified, suspended, or cancelled at any time, at Orthopedic Institute’s sole discretion.
For questions about these Terms & Conditions, contact Orthopedic Institute at 605.331.5890.