SMS Privacy Policy

New Vision Hospice (“New Vision Hospice,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you share with us. This SMS Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information in connection with text messages sent to and from New Vision Hospice.

1. Scope

This SMS Privacy Policy applies to SMS and MMS text communications between New Vision Hospice and patients, patient representatives, caregivers, family members, employees, contractors, applicants, referral sources, and other individuals who communicate with us by text message.

These text communications may include, without limitation:

  • patient care coordination and routine operational communication;

  • visit, schedule, and appointment reminders;

  • payroll confirmations;

  • agency memos and work-related notices;

  • reminders regarding expiring HR, credentialing, compliance, or onboarding documents; and

  • responses to questions or requests initiated by the recipient.

2. Information We May Collect

When you communicate with us by text message, we may collect:

  • your mobile phone number;

  • your name and, where relevant, your relationship to a patient or to the agency;

  • the content of your messages and our responses;

  • message delivery data, including date, time, and status;

  • your communication preferences, including opt-in and opt-out status; and

  • information you voluntarily provide in connection with patient care, employment, payroll, scheduling, credentialing, or agency operations.

3. How We Use SMS Information

We may use SMS information to:

  • coordinate patient care and hospice services;

  • communicate regarding scheduling, staffing, and operational needs;

  • send payroll-related confirmations and work-related notices;

  • remind staff of expiring licenses, certifications, health screenings, HR forms, or other required documents;

  • respond to inquiries and requests;

  • maintain business and communication records;

  • support compliance, accreditation, legal, regulatory, and recordkeeping obligations; and

  • protect the rights, safety, and operations of our patients, workforce members, and agency.

4. Consent to Receive Text Messages

By providing your mobile number to New Vision Hospice and agreeing to receive text messages, you consent to receive text communications from us at that number for the purposes described in this policy.

Message frequency may vary.
Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and service plan.

Consent to receive text messages is not required as a condition of receiving care, applying for employment, or maintaining employment, where another reasonable communication method is available. You may request an alternative means of communication by contacting us.

For patient-related communications, New Vision Hospice will use reasonable safeguards when communicating electronically and will honor reasonable requests for alternative communication methods as required by applicable privacy law. HHS states that covered health care providers may communicate electronically with patients if reasonable safeguards are used, and must accommodate reasonable requests for alternative means or locations for communications.

5. Opting Out

You may opt out of receiving text messages from New Vision Hospice at any time by replying STOP to any message or by contacting us directly.

Phone: (818) 738-9404
Email: info@nvhospicecare.com

After we receive your opt-out request, we will process it within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 business days, as applicable. We may send a limited confirmation message acknowledging your opt-out request.

Please note that opting out of text messages may affect our ability to provide certain scheduling, payroll, HR, operational, or patient-care communications by text.

The FCC states that consumers may revoke consent in any reasonable manner and that revocation requests must be honored within a reasonable time not exceeding 10 business days.

6. HELP Instructions

For help, reply HELP to any message or contact us at:

Phone: (818) 738-9404
Email: info@nvhospicecare.com

7. HIPAA and Sensitive Information

Some text messages sent by New Vision Hospice may involve protected health information (“PHI”). When text communications involve PHI, we apply reasonable safeguards intended to protect privacy and confidentiality in accordance with applicable law.

However, standard text messaging is not always fully secure. Text messages may be delayed, misdirected, accessed by someone else using the device, or intercepted in transmission. For that reason, you should avoid sending highly sensitive information by standard text message unless necessary and unless you understand the associated risks.

For patient communications, New Vision Hospice may limit the amount of health information included in a text message and may direct the individual to call the office or use another communication method when appropriate.

HHS explains that providers may communicate electronically with patients, including for treatment-related purposes, if they apply reasonable safeguards, such as verifying contact information and limiting the amount or type of information disclosed when appropriate.

8. How We Share Information

We do not sell personal information obtained through SMS communications.

We do not share mobile numbers or SMS consent data with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

We may share SMS-related information only as permitted or required by law, including:

  • with workforce members, clinicians, managers, or administrators who need the information to perform their duties;

  • with vendors, service providers, or business associates supporting our operations, subject to appropriate obligations;

  • with patient representatives, caregivers, family members, or authorized contacts, as permitted by law and patient preference;

  • for payroll, HR, credentialing, or employment administration, where appropriate;

  • for legal, regulatory, accreditation, audit, or compliance purposes; or

  • to protect the rights, safety, or property of patients, staff, or the agency.

CTIA messaging best practices emphasize maintaining consent practices, identifying the sender, and providing opt-out instructions for text messaging programs.

9. Data Retention

We may retain text message records, logs, and related communication data for as long as reasonably necessary for patient care, payroll, HR administration, credentialing, compliance, legal, operational, audit, and record retention purposes.

10. Your Choices

You may:

  • opt out of text messaging at any time;

  • request a different communication method, where reasonable;

  • ask us to update your contact information; and

  • contact us with privacy questions or concerns.

For patient communications, individuals may request reasonable alternative means or locations for communication under HIPAA.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this SMS Privacy Policy from time to time. Any revised version will be effective when posted, distributed, or otherwise made available by New Vision Hospice, with the updated effective date listed above.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this SMS Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

New Vision Hospice
Phone: (818) 738-9404
Email: info@nvhospicecare.com