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SMS Privacy Policy

Achieve Behavioral Health–Bikur Cholim, Inc.
Effective date: 11/21/2025

Achieve Behavioral Health (“Achieve,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is the public-facing name of Bikur Cholim, Inc. This SMS Privacy Policy explains how we use and protect information when you choose to receive text messages (“SMS messages”) from us in the United States.

This policy is specific to our SMS communications and is intended to meet A2P 10DLC /CTIA messaging best practices and applicable law.

1. What we use SMS for

Our SMS messages are transactional only. We may text you about:

  • Appointment reminders, confirmations, and scheduling changes
  • Service-related notifications and follow-up reminders
  • Othernon-marketing information related to the services you receive from us

We do not send advertising or promotional/marketing text messages.

You may receive up to 4 messages per appointment.
Message and data rates may apply from your mobile carrier.

2. What information we collect

If you opt in to SMS, we may associate your mobile number with:

  • Patient ID or internal client ID
  • Name, email address, and mailing address
  • SMS message details (date/time, delivery status, and your responses)

This information is stored in our systems and in systems operated on our behalf by vendors such as Intermedia, Twilio, and Microsoft.

3. How you opt in

Participation in SMS is optional and is not required to receive services from Achieve.

We currently obtain SMS consent through an electronic or paper consent form as part of our intake/registration process. Consent language includes:

By checking the box and signing the form below, I am giving permission for Achieve to send text messages regarding important program information and to enhance my treatment. Here are some examples of why Achieve may reach out:
  • Sharing program information, office closures, and appointment reminders
  • Signing consents, completing surveys
  • Easier access to each individual’s records
  • Symptom tracking to help individuals who are receiving treatment measure progress toward their goals
SMS message frequency varies but will not exceed 3-5 messages per day unless there is a notification event. Message & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to opt out. SMS SHARING DISCLOSURE: No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes at any time.
 
This consent will apply to the phone number entered above, and to future updated cell number(s) that I provide to the clinic unless I specifically tell Achieve it does not apply at the time I share them with the agency.
 
Recommended Good Practice for Digital Communication:
It is recommended that each individual use a secure email address and cell phone that is not shared, and whose log-in information and passwords are kept confidential
 
Your signed form is our record that you have chosen to receive SMS communications at the number you provided.

4. How to opt out or get help

You can stop receiving automated SMS reminders at any time:

Automated system messages(appointment reminders, alerts, etc.):

  • Reply STOP to any automated message. You will receive one final confirmation, and then automated texts will stop for that number/program.
  • Reply HELP to receive basic program information and our contact details.

Person-to-person texts from staff:

  • You can reply STOP or tell us in your own words that you no longer wish to receive text messages. Our staff will update your communication preferences and stop texting you except where messages are required by law or for patient safety.

You can also change your preferences at any time by contacting us directly (see Contact Us below).

5. How we share and protect your information

We respect your privacy and:

Do not sell or share your mobile number or SMS opt-in/consent information with third parties for their marketing or promotional purposes.

We may share SMS-related information only with:

  • Service providers (such as Intermedia, Twilio, Microsoft) that send and manage SMS communications on our behalf
  • Other vendors under contract to support our operations, subject to confidentiality and security obligations
  • Government authorities or others when required by law, regulation, or court order

We may share SMS-related information only with:

  • Limited staff access to systems containing SMS and patient data
  • Encryption and secure authentication (including multi-factor authentication)
  • Vendor contracts, Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) and Qualified Service Organization Agreements (QSOAs) where required by HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2
  • We retain SMS-related information as part of our normal record-keeping to provide services, maintain accurate records, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

6. HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 and SMS

Achieve Behavioral Health is a covered health care provider. When SMS messages involve protected health information (PHI), we handle that information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 and applicable state law.

We aim to limit the clinical detail included in text messages. For sensitive matters, we may ask you to call us or use other secure communication channels instead of SMS.

We maintain BAA and QSOA agreements with vendors that may handle PHI in connection with our SMS program.

For information on your broader privacy rights under HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices or contact us.

7. Changes to this SMS Privacy Policy

We may update this SMS Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Effective date” at the top of this page. The most current version will always be available at:

https://achievebh.org/sms-privacy-policy

8. Contact us

If you have questions about this policy or our SMS program, or if you want to change your communication preferences, please contact:

Achieve Behavioral Health (Bikur Cholim, Inc.)
Email: info@achievebh.org
Phone: 845-425-5252

You may also opt out of SMS at any time by replying STOP to our automated messages or asking our staff to stop texting you.