What the TCPA is
The TCPA is a federal statute enforced by the FCC and through private lawsuits. Violations carry $500 in statutory damages each, up to $1,500 if willful or knowing. In February 2024 the FCC ruled that AI-generated voices are artificial voices, so AI calls need the same prior express consent as prerecorded calls.
Healthcare has exemptions with conditions. Health care messages from HIPAA covered entities and business associates are exempt from the written-consent requirement, though prior express consent is still needed. Free-to-patient calls and texts to mobile numbers for things like appointment reminders, lab results, and refill notices are exempt if they stay short, are limited to one per day and three per week, carry no marketing or billing, and include an opt-out.
Opt-out rules are moving. Since April 2025, patients can revoke consent by any reasonable method and callers must honor it within ten business days. In January 2025 a federal appeals court vacated the FCC's one-to-one consent rule. On September 30, 2026 the FCC voted to rewrite the revocation rules again, effective 30 days after Federal Register publication. Rivvi honors opt-out on every outreach path.