Why did Updox change its SMS (text message) products?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). To follow these rules, mobile carriers such as Verizon Wireless added new policies for business text messages. The goals are to build trust in text messaging and reduce spam.
Carriers now require businesses to register before sending text messages. Registration shows carriers:
Who is sending the messages.
What kind of content the messages contain.
Whether the recipient agreed to receive the messages.
Updox changed its SMS products to meet these requirements. The changes also help make sure your text messages reach your patients.
What changed in Updox text messages?
Updox worked with its messaging service providers on best practices for compliance. As a result, Updox is moving its SMS products to standardized text messages.
A standardized text message sends the patient to a web page. On that page, the patient can take action or view more information and instructions from the practice.
These Updox products already work this way:
Video Chat
Payments
Secure Text
What types of phone numbers does Updox support for text messages?
Updox supports only toll-free phone numbers for all SMS products, including:
Reminders
Video Chat invites
Secure Text
Broadcast
Note: Updox supports service only in the United States and its territories.
What is a toll-free number?
A toll-free number is a 10-digit phone number with an 8XX area code, such as 800, 877, or 888. Approved business text messages can be sent from a toll-free number.
Every toll-free number must be verified and approved by the carriers before it can send text messages.
A toll-free number isn't tied to a local area.
A toll-free number costs less to send text messages from.
toll-free applies to the practice’s sending number
How do I register or verify my toll-free number?
Updox completes the toll-free number verification for you. Updox starts once it has all of your business details.
Carriers need these details to verify a toll-free number:
Business name
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Business type
Business address
Business phone number
Contact name
Contact email
Company website
Does it cost anything to verify a toll-free number?
No. There are no extra fees to verify a toll-free number.
Am I affected by the SMS compliance changes?
Partners: You're affected if you use either of these Updox APIs to send text messages:
EventNotificationBulkCreateSMS Send
Customers who contract directly with Updox for SMS products: Updox will work with you directly to complete the verification.
Heads up: If you use Broadcast or Reminders in the Updox application, you may also be affected.