Existing and new patients can text to set up appointments or refill prescriptions
SalusCare is offering new and existing patients a texting service to request non-emergency appointments and medication refills. The HIPAA-compliant service will help expedite scheduling and medication refills.
Patients can text the main customer care number, 239-275-3222. Texting “appointments” or “appt” will result in a near immediate acknowledgement with a request for additional information, such as date of birth and appointment availability. Staff will then check appointment times and text the patient to set up an appointment or provide an extension for new patients to complete paperwork necessary for an appointment. For medications, patients can text “refills” and will receive a response asking for more information.
“The patients really like it, because it’s better than being on hold,” said Alice Merrifield, SalusCare’s director of outpatient therapy and psychiatry. “They get an instant response, so that will help people get in touch with us quickly and smoothly.”
The system was tested for about a month before being rolled out to all patients. Other text services may be added later.