Healthcare SMS templates
Eight patient text messages for practices and pharmacies, each 160 characters or fewer with the opt-out included. Six are written to fit the TCPA's free-to-patient healthcare exemption. Two are not, because they carry billing or sales content, and need consent first. Character counts below show room left for your names, dates and numbers.
Appointment reminder
Fits 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(9)(iv): Yes (appointment reminder).
[Practice name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], reminder of your appointment [Date] at [Time]. To reschedule call [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 97 characters. Example: 158 of 160.
Lab results ready
Fits (a)(9)(iv): Yes (lab results). Never include the test name or result.
[Practice name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], you have new results in your patient portal. Questions? Call [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 104 characters. Example: 150 of 160.
Prescription ready
Fits (a)(9)(iv): Yes (prescription notification). Never include the drug name.
[Pharmacy name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], your prescription is ready for pickup. Questions? Call [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 98 characters. Example: 138 of 160.
Refill due
Fits (a)(9)(iv): Yes (prescription notification). A YES reply creates a refill request for staff.
[Pharmacy name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], a refill is due. Reply YES to refill or call [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 88 characters. Example: 128 of 160.
Post-discharge follow-up
Fits (a)(9)(iv): Yes (post-discharge follow-up intended to prevent readmission). Never mention the hospital or diagnosis.
[Practice name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], our care team wants to check on you. Please call [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 92 characters. Example: 138 of 160.
Pre-op instructions link
Fits (a)(9)(iv): Yes (pre-operative instructions). The link should open a page that requires the patient to sign in or verify identity before showing any details. Use a short link.
[Practice name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], instructions for your upcoming visit: [Link] Questions? [Callback number]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 93 characters. Example: 159 of 160. Tight: use a short practice name or a link of 20 characters or fewer.
Payment plan offer
Fits (a)(9)(iv): No. Billing and financial content is excluded (64.1200(a)(9)(iv)(D)). Send only with the patient's prior express consent to texts, and follow your billing communication rules.
[Practice name] (automated): Hi [Patient first name], you can pay your balance in monthly payments. Call [Callback number] to set it up. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 107 characters. Example: 153 of 160.
AEP requested follow-up (Medicare agency)
Fits (a)(9)(iv): No. It's sales content from an agency, not a healthcare provider message. Send only to a beneficiary who requested contact, with prior express written consent to marketing texts. No plan or benefit details.
[Agency name] (automated): Hi [Beneficiary first name], thanks for your request. A licensed agent will call you [Date]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Fixed text: 99 characters. Example (agency "Bayside Insurance Group"): 139 of 160.
Before you send any of these:
The number is the one the patient gave you (required for the exemption).
No more than 1 message per day and 3 per week, calls and texts combined, for exemption messages.
STOP and any other reasonable opt-out request is honored on every channel.
Messages go out between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the patient's time zone.
No condition, test, drug or visit type appears in the text.
Compliance notes
- Every exemption condition must hold. 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(9)(iv) requires: no charge to the patient, sent only to the number the patient provided, provider name and contact in the message, a listed purpose, no telemarketing or billing content, 160 characters or fewer, at most 1 per day and 3 per week, and a STOP opt-out honored immediately.
- Outside the exemption, consent is required. Health care messages from a covered entity need prior express consent; marketing needs prior express written consent (64.1200(a)(2)). Messages 7 and 8 fall here.
- Opt-out rules are changing. Today, revocation by any reasonable method must be honored within 10 business days (64.1200(a)(10)). The FCC voted Sept 30, 2026 to rewrite these rules, effective 30 days after Federal Register publication. Recheck before you launch.
- Medicare agencies can't text cold. CMS bans unsolicited texts to beneficiaries (42 CFR 422.2264). Message 8 is for requesters only.
- Say it's automated. Utah requires AI disclosure before a written exchange in high-risk interactions (SB 149, SB 226), and California AB 3030 requires a disclaimer at the start of AI-written clinical messages.
On the Team plan, Rivvi sends these texts from your uploaded lists, honors STOP on every outreach path, and records replies against each patient. Get started for free.
These templates are a starting point, not legal advice. Review them with your compliance lead or counsel before use.