PRIVACY POLICY
SMS TEXT MESSAGING
Last Updated: 3/12/2025
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Heidi V. Applegarth, LLC (“we,” “us,” “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how Heidi V. Applegarth, LLC collects and uses information about you when you opt-in to receive SMS messages from us.
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1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT​
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When you opt in to receive SMS text messages from our practice, we may collect the following
information:
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• Phone Number: To send and receive SMS messages.
• Message Content: Communications such as appointment reminders, scheduling updates,
or administrative information.
• Delivery and Interaction Data: Information about message delivery status and
interactions.
• Preferences and Consent: Your choices regarding SMS communication, including optin/
opt-out status and notification preferences.
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2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
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We use SMS messaging solely for the purpose of:
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• Sending appointment reminders, confirmations, or cancellations.
• Providing important updates regarding your care or our services.
• Responding to inquiries initiated by you.
• Sending billing notifications or administrative updates (if applicable).
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We do not use SMS for confidential therapy discussions, emergency services, or marketing
purposes.
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3. YOUR CHOICES AND CONTROLS
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You have full control over how you receive SMS communications. Your choices include:
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• Opting In: You must provide explicit consent before receiving SMS messages. This can
be done during intake or by request. Consent is not pre-checked and is optional. You are
not required to opt-in to receive services from us.
• Opting Out: You can stop receiving messages at any time by replying "STOP" to any
message or contacting our office directly. Opting out of SMS messages will not impact
your ability to receive voice or email communications.
• Modifying Preferences: If you would like to adjust the types of messages you receive,
you can update your preferences by contacting our office.
• Access and Deletion Requests: You may request a record of your SMS communications
with us or ask for your data to be deleted, subject to applicable laws and retention
requirements.
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4. DATA SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
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We take the privacy and security of your information seriously. While we use secure systems to
manage SMS communications, please be aware that text messages are not fully encrypted and
may not be a confidential form of communication. We encourage sensitive discussions to take
place through secure, HIPAA-compliant channels.
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5. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CAMPAIGN REGISTRY (TCR) REQUIREMENTS
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In compliance with TCR regulations:
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• Registration: Our practice is registered with The Campaign Registry (TCR) to ensure
transparency and adherence to industry standards for business SMS communications.
• Consent Documentation: We maintain records of your consent to receive SMS
messages, as required by TCR guidelines.
• Opt-Out Mechanism: As outlined above, you can opt out of SMS communications at
any time by replying "STOP" or contacting our office.
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6. COMPLIANCE WITH NEBRASKA STATE REGULATIONS
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In accordance with Nebraska state laws:
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• Confidentiality: Communications between you and our licensed mental health
practitioners are confidential, similar to the confidentiality between physicians and
patients. Exceptions to this confidentiality include situations involving abuse, threats of
harm, or legal requirements.
• Record Retention: We adhere to Nebraska's record-keeping laws for mental health
practitioners, ensuring that all communications, including SMS messages, are retained in
compliance with state regulations.
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7. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
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We may update this policy periodically. Any changes will be communicated via our website or direct notification.
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8. CONTACT US
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding our SMS privacy policy, you may contact us at:
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Heidi V. Applegarth, LLC