Ascension Digital Messaging Terms and Conditions
Ascension offers Digital Messaging as a convenience to its patients and website visitors. Digital Messaging includes means of communication including Online Chat Features and SMS texting. Digital Messaging enables us to connect directly with individuals to provide health care resources and answer questions and concerns they may have about how to navigate the resources available through the website, SMS, and applications from which the Digital Messaging is accessed.
In addition to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applicable to the website or application from which the Digital Messaging is accessed, if any, these Terms and Conditions ("Terms") apply to your use of Digital Messaging. By using Digital Messaging, you agree to these Terms.
TERMS OF USE
DIGITAL MESSAGING SHOULD NOT BE USED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. In case of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The purpose of Digital Messaging is to provide you with access to live agents for assistance with navigation and support in connection with the website or other application from which the Digital Messaging is accessed. Digital Messaging is not intended to take the place of a visit with your healthcare provider. The information you provide during Digital Messaging sessions will not be sent to or made available to a health care provider or included in your medical record.
We do not provide diagnosis, treatment or other medical services through Digital Messaging. You should not include information or questions related to specific medical conditions or concerns in Digital Messaging except to the extent the information is needed to assist you in your request. Please consider carefully the information you share via Digital Messaging. Only provide information if it will help us address your request. Although we take steps to make Digital Messaging secure, it is not possible for every internet transmission to be 100% secure. Please close sessions when you are finished to help protect your information.
In addition to any information you provide to us when asking for assistance, we may also collect personal information such as name, e-mail, phone number, and date of birth so we can address your request and confirm your identity, if needed. If you do not wish to provide such information through Digital Messaging, please contact your local Ascension provider.
We will use your personal information to provide requested services to you, and we may store the Digital Messaging transcripts to help us evaluate the Digital Messaging features and improve our services.
Text Messaging (SMS)
To the extent Digital Messaging includes text messaging (SMS) and you select SMS in connection with your use of Digital Messaging, you are agreeing that Ascension and its designees can communicate with you by electronic means including, but not limited to email, text message (SMS), and telephone, including VOIP (voice over internet provider), using pre-recorded messages, artificial voice messages, automatic telephone dialing devices, or other computer assisted technology, at the phone number and/or email address on file with Ascension and any phone numbers and email addresses provided in connection with your use of Digital Messaging.
Standard text messaging rates may apply as provided in your wireless plan (contact your carrier for details).
Texting (SMS) is not a secure method of transmission and the information contained in the text message is not encrypted. While the risk is low, the message could be intercepted or read by a third party and Ascension cannot guarantee that text messages will remain secure and confidential.
We will not be liable for any delays or failures in your receipt of any SMS messages as delivery is subject to effective transmission from your network operator and processing by your mobile device.
Scheduling
If you would like to schedule an appointment via Digital Messaging, we may direct you to a self service scheduling option, call you by telephone at a number you provide, or, if available, provide scheduling services directly through the Digital Messaging.
Certain information that you provide during a Digital Messaging session for appointment scheduling purposes may constitute Protected Health Information or “PHI” as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"). We will keep your information confidential and comply with applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA. For more information on how we protect PHI, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices at https://healthcare.ascension.org/npp.
Minors
We are committed to protecting the privacy of children. Digital Messaging is not directed at users under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, you are not permitted to use Digital Messaging or submit personal health information or other personal information to us.
Availability of Digital Messaging
We do not guarantee that Digital Messaging will be accessible twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. Digital Messaging may be unavailable outside of any hours of availability specifically stated on the website or in the application and may also be unavailable, without prior notice to you, due to routine maintenance or due to circumstances beyond our control. Digital Messaging may also be suspended or terminated without prior notice. We are not liable for any unavailability or technical issues with Digital Messaging. Any inappropriate use by you of Digital Messaging may result in termination of the session, at our discretion. Digital Messaging is provided on an AS IS, AS AVAILABLE basis.
We may amend, supersede or rescind these Terms at any time and without prior notice and you agree to any amended or updated version by your continued use of Digital Messaging.