SMS Feature - Provider User Guide

Getting Started with SMS

The SMS Feature allows your office to:

• Send invoice reminders by text
• Receive patient replies
• Send direct messages to patients
• Send payment reminders and confirmations
• Improve patient communication

Step 1 – Enable SMS Service

Once AR Proactive Support enables SMS for your account:

1. Log into your Provider Portal
2. Open Settings
3. Open SMS Settings
4. Enable SMS Service
5. Accept SMS billing consent

Step 2 – Configure Your SMS Messages

You can customize:

• Invoice messages
• Reminder messages
• Payment plan messages
• Payment confirmations
• Failed autopay notifications

Default templates are already provided.

You may personalize messages using available variables such as:

• Patient Name
• Payment Link

Step 3 – Purchase Your SMS Number

Before sending messages:

1. Open SMS Settings
2. Click “Get a Number”
3. Search by area code or preferred number
4. Select your number
5. Purchase the number
6. Select the purchased number
7. Click Save

Your SMS service is now ready.

Step 4 – Enable SMS for Patients

To enable SMS for a patient:

1. Open Patient Details
2. Locate the Text/SMS section
3. Add or verify phone numbers
4. Enable SMS delivery
5. Save Changes

Patients can also manage SMS preferences through:
BillPaySafely

Step 5 – Approve Outgoing SMS Messages

SMS reminders generated by uploaded jobs require approval before sending.

To approve messages:

1. Open the Jobs section
2. Open the related job
3. Review pending SMS messages
4. Edit the message if needed
5. Approve and send

You will also receive email notifications when messages are pending approval.

Step 6 – Use the Text Inbox

The Text Inbox allows direct communication with patients.

You can:

• Send messages anytime
• Reply to patient messages
• Review conversation history
• Continue ongoing SMS conversations

The Text Inbox is only visible when SMS is enabled for your account.

Payment Links in SMS

Invoice SMS messages may include secure payment links.

When patients click the link:

• They are redirected to:
  BillPaySafely
• Their invoice is highlighted automatically
• Logged-in patients are redirected directly to their dashboard

This allows patients to quickly review and pay invoices securely.

Additional Automatic SMS Notifications

The system may also automatically send:

• Failed Autopay Notifications
• Payment Confirmation Messages

These messages help keep patients informed about payment activity.

Yes. Providers can send direct SMS messages anytime using the Text Inbox.

No. Job-generated SMS messages require provider approval before sending.

Yes. Patients can reply directly to the provider’s SMS number.

All SMS-related menus and features become hidden.

Yes. Patients may manage settings through:
BillPaySafely