This page provides sample text that Way to Health (W2H) users can customize for SMS-based patient care programs. The language below was used for Penn Medicine's COVID Watch intervention. It is designed to meet carrier compliance requirements, industry standards, and applicable laws that W2H programs must comply with.
Sample Text
- When you opt-in to the service, we will send you an SMS message to confirm your signup.
- When you enroll into the program, participants will receive the following message (subject to minor modifications): “Hello {{first name}}. Welcome to the Penn Medicine Home Symptom Tracker. This is for people with cold or flu like symptoms. During this COVID-19 outbreak, we understand you are concerned. In this program, we will text you twice a day to see how you are feeling and make sure you get the care you need. Please note that texting is not 100% secure so it is possible for someone else to read these messages. Finally, Message & Data rates may apply. Reply OK if you agree. Reply END if you do not want to be supported by this Penn Medicine program."
- You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text “END” or “BYE” to the short code. After you send the SMS message “END” or “BYE” to us, you will be unsubscribed from the program. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, a care provider will have to enroll you back into the program.
- If at any time you forget what keywords are supported, just text “HELP” to the short code. After you send the SMS message “HELP” to us, we will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
- We offer this service through a provider. They are able to deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers: Major carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Nextel, and Virgin Mobile. Minor carriers: Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, Cricket, Coral Wireless (Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), Epic Touch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (Chat Mobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless (Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom), Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless). Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
- As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. You will receive messages twice a day. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. For all questions about the services provided by this short code, you can send an email to waytohealth@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
- If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read the Penn Medicine Privacy Resources here.