GREATER ATLANTA INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICS

SMS & Text Messaging Policy

Effective Date: April 23, 2026

Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics (“GAIP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to transparent communication. This SMS & Text Messaging Policy explains how we use text messaging to communicate with patients, parents, and guardians, and describes your rights regarding those communications.

This policy complies with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices, and applicable carrier requirements.

1. Program Description

GAIP operates an SMS messaging program to communicate with the parents, guardians, and patients of our practice. Our text messaging program includes the following message types:

1.1 Transactional / Care Messages (Healthcare Exemption)

These messages are directly related to your child’s care and are sent as part of our healthcare operations:

  • Appointment reminders and confirmations
  • Appointment rescheduling or cancellation notices
  • Prescription refill status updates
  • Lab or test result notifications (directing you to the portal for details)
  • Post-visit care instructions or follow-up reminders
  • Billing and payment reminders
  • Public health or urgent practice notices affecting your child’s care

1.2 Informational / Marketing Messages

With your explicit consent, we may also send:

  • GAIP newsletters and wellness tips
  • Practice updates, new service announcements, and event invitations
  • Seasonal health reminders (e.g., flu shot availability, back-to-school physicals)
  • Integrative health education content

2. How to Opt In

You may opt in to receive SMS messages from GAIP in any of the following ways:

  • Completing a written or digital consent form at our office or during patient intake
  • Texting START to our practice SMS number
  • Checking the SMS opt-in box on our online contact or appointment request form
  • Verbally consenting during a call with our office staff (confirmed in writing)

By opting in, you confirm that you are the account holder or have authorization to consent for the phone number provided, and that the number is capable of receiving SMS messages.

3. How to Opt Out

You may opt out of GAIP SMS messages at any time:

  • Reply STOP to any GAIP text message to unsubscribe from all messages
  • Reply STOP MARKETING to unsubscribe from marketing/newsletter messages only while continuing to receive care-related messages
  • Contact our office at intakes@gaipeds.com or (404) 751-3693 to request removal

After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation text acknowledging your opt-out. No further messages will be sent unless you re-enroll. Note: opting out of all messages may mean you miss important appointment reminders. You may re-enroll at any time by texting START.

4. Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on your care activity and communication preferences:

  • Transactional messages: sent as triggered by appointments, prescriptions, or care events (typically 2–4 per month per active patient)
  • Informational/marketing messages: no more than 4 per month

Message frequency may increase temporarily during high-activity periods such as flu season, back-to-school, or public health events.

5. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan. GAIP does not charge for SMS messages, but your carrier’s standard messaging rates may apply. Please contact your carrier for details about your plan.

6. Supported Carriers

GAIP’s SMS program is available through all major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and regional carriers. Carrier support may vary. GAIP is not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages due to carrier issues.

7. How to Get Help

If you need assistance with our SMS program:

  • Reply HELP to any GAIP text message for immediate instructions
  • Email us at intakes@gaipeds.com
  • Call our office at (404) 751-3693 (Press 1)

We will respond to HELP requests within one business day.

8. Privacy and Data Use

Phone numbers and messaging preferences collected through our SMS program are used solely to send the messages described in this policy. We do not sell, rent, or share your phone number with third-party marketers or advertisers.

SMS data may be shared with our HIPAA-compliant messaging platform provider solely for the purpose of delivering messages on our behalf, under a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) as required by HIPAA.

For full details on how we handle your personal information, please review our Privacy Policy at https://gaipinc.com/privacy-policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices.

9. Protected Health Information (PHI) in Text Messages

GAIP does not transmit protected health information (PHI) directly in the body of SMS text messages. Text messages will notify you of care-related events and direct you to the secure patient portal (gaip.md-hq.com) for any communications containing clinical details. This protects your health information in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our SMS program is directed to parents and legal guardians, not to minor patients directly. We will only send messages to the phone number provided by the authorized parent or guardian on file. If you believe your child’s health information has been sent to an unauthorized number, contact us immediately at intakes@gaipeds.com.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this SMS Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last Updated” date above. For material changes, we will notify active SMS subscribers via text before the changes take effect. Continued use of our SMS program after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Regulatory Compliance

This SMS program operates in compliance with:

  • Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227
  • CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Applicable state consumer protection and telemarketing laws

13. Contact Us

Operations Manager

Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics

1240 Upper Hembree Road, Suite A, Roswell, GA 30076

Email: intakes@gaipeds.com

Phone: (404) 751-3693

© 2026 Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics. All rights reserved.