1. IntroductionThis SMS Messaging Policy ("Policy") describes how Ashwin Gowda, MD, PA, doing business as Texas Sleep Medicine ("Texas Sleep Medicine," "we," "us," or "our"), collects, uses, and protects information in connection with our SMS and text messaging program. Texas Sleep Medicine is a specialized sleep disorders clinic with locations in North Austin and South Austin, Texas.
By opting in to receive text messages from Texas Sleep Medicine, you agree to the terms of this Policy.
Texas Sleep Medicine operates a recurring SMS messaging program to communicate with patients about their healthcare. This is not a marketing program. All messages support the clinical care relationship between Texas Sleep Medicine and its patients.
By opting in, you may receive the following types of text messages:
3.1 Appointment Communications
• Appointment reminders• Appointment confirmations
• Appointment rescheduling notifications• Pre-appointment instructions (e.g., preparation for sleep studies)
• Post-appointment follow-up messages
3.2 Sleep Study & Treatment Communications
• Sleep study scheduling notifications • Sleep study preparation instructions• Notification that sleep study results are ready for review
• Treatment plan updates and notifications• CPAP or other device follow-up reminders
• Referral notifications and follow-up• Follow-up care instructions
• Requests to return a call or contact the office• Documentation or imaging request notifications
3.4 Administrative Communications
• Office closure or schedule change notifications• Practice announcements relevant to your care
• Insurance or eligibility notifications
• Responses to questions you initiate via text• Two-way conversational messaging with our staff
We do not send marketing, promotional, or advertising messages through this program.
Message frequency varies depending on your healthcare needs, appointment schedule, and the services you are receiving from Texas Sleep Medicine. You may receive anywhere from occasional messages to multiple messages per week, depending on your care plan and communication preferences.
5. Message and Data Rates
Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply to messages you send and receive. Texas Sleep Medicine is not responsible for any fees charged by your mobile carrier. Contact your carrier for details about your messaging plan.
You may opt in to receive text messages from Texas Sleep Medicine through one or more of the following methods:
Patients complete the online appointment request form at txsleepmedicine.com by clicking "Request Appointment." The form includes an unchecked SMS consent checkbox. By checking this box and submitting the form, you provide your express written consent to receive automated text messages from Texas Sleep Medicine at the mobile number you provided.
During patient intake at our office, patients may sign forms that include SMS consent language. Consent is documented in our practice management system.
When staff call to confirm appointments or coordinate care, they may obtain verbal consent using the following script: "We can send you appointment reminders and updates about your care by text message. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can reply STOP at any time to opt out. Do you consent to receive text messages?" Consent is documented in the patient’s record.
Patients can text START to our practice number to opt in to receive messages.
Consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services or receiving medical care.
You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by:• Replying STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT, or REVOKE to any message you receive from us
• Calling our office at (512) 440-5757 and requesting to be removed from text messaging• Emailing us at the contact information below
When you successfully opt out, you will receive a single confirmation message: "You have successfully been unsubscribed. You will not receive any more messages from this number. Reply START to resubscribe."
Opt-out requests are processed immediately. Opting out of text messages does not affect your healthcare relationship with Texas Sleep Medicine. You may re-subscribe at any time by texting START or contacting our office. 8. Help and Support
You may request help or information at any time by:• Replying HELP or INFO to any message you receive from us
• Calling our office at (512) 440-5757
When you text HELP, you will receive a response such as: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg&Data Rates May Apply."
9. Mobile Information Privacy
Your mobile phone number and SMS opt-in data will NOT be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Specifically:
• We do not sell your mobile phone number or opt-in information to any third party.• We do not share your mobile information with affiliates for marketing purposes.
• We do not use your mobile information for lead generation.• All SMS opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates, except as necessary to operate this messaging program.
We may disclose your mobile information only in the following limited circumstances:
• To subcontractors and service providers who assist in delivering the messaging service (e.g., our messaging platform provider, telecommunications carriers), all of whom are bound by confidentiality obligations.• As required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of Texas Sleep Medicine or others.• With your explicit consent.
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your mobile information, including:
• Encryption of data in transit and at rest.• Access controls limiting who can view your information.
• Audit logging of access to messaging systems.• Regular security assessments and monitoring.
11. Personal Information Collected
Through our SMS messaging program, we may collect your mobile phone number, first and last name, and any information you voluntarily provide in text message responses (such as preferred appointment times). This information is collected via our online appointment request form, patient intake process, or direct text message communication.
We retain messaging consent records and message logs for the period required by applicable law and our internal record-keeping policies. You may request review or deletion of your messaging data by contacting our office. Certain data may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as compliance with legal obligations, resolution of disputes, or fraud prevention.
Texas Sleep Medicine is committed to protecting the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Standard SMS text messages are not encrypted end-to-end and may be stored on mobile devices and carrier systems. For this reason:
• Messages sent through our program do not contain detailed Protected Health Information such as diagnoses, test results, or treatment details.• Sensitive health information is communicated through secure channels.
• Patients are directed to contact our office for detailed health information.• We recommend that patients do not include sensitive health information in text message replies.
Our SMS program is supported on all major U.S. wireless carriers, including but not limited to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and their respective MVNOs. Service availability may vary by carrier.
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
The information provided via text message is for informational and scheduling purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Text messaging is not a secure communication method, and sensitive medical information should not be shared via text. For medical emergencies, please call 911.
Our messaging services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect mobile phone numbers or consent from children under 13 without verified parental consent. For patients between the ages of 13 and 18, consent must be provided or authorized by a parent or legal guardian.
17. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy. Your continued receipt of messages after changes to this Policy constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
Texas Sleep Medicine (Ashwin Gowda MD PA)1221 West Ben White Boulevard, Suite A-100, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 440-5757
Website: txsleepmedicine.com
For opt-out assistance: Reply STOP to any message, or call (512) 440-5757.
19. Additional Disclosures
This is a recurring message program for healthcare-related communications between Texas Sleep Medicine and its patients. Consent to receive messages is not required as a condition of receiving care.
© 2026 Texas Sleep Medicine (Ashwin Gowda MD PA). All rights reserved.