Effective Date: 12/12/24

 

1. Introduction These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the telephone and SMS messaging system provided by Autumnleaf Group, Inc. for communications related to the provision of social services. By using the System, you agree to these Terms, including the Company's privacy practices, which comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA").

 

2. Purpose of the System The System is designed to facilitate secure communications between the Company and its clients, including but not limited to:

• Appointment reminders
• Service notifications
• General updates
• Emergency contacts
• Medical or health-related communications

 

3. HIPAA Compliance The Company is committed to protecting your health information and complying with HIPAA regulations. We use secure methods to send and receive messages and ensure that all communication via our telephone and SMS system is kept confidential and private. However, please note that text messages (SMS) are not inherently secure, and while we take reasonable steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee the security of messages transmitted through the System.

By using the System, you acknowledge and agree that you may receive communications that include sensitive or protected health information ("PHI"). You consent to the use of the System for receiving such communications.

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4. Consent to Use of System By providing your consent to receive SMS communications, you acknowledge and agree to receive text messages from Autumnleag Group Inc. at the phone number you provide. Information obtained as part of the SMS consent process will not be shared with third parties. You may opt out of receiving SMS communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the messages or by contacting us directly.

Standard Messaging Disclosures:

• Message Frequency: Frequency of messages may vary depending on your interactions with us.
• Standard messaging rates will be charged by your mobile service provider.
• You can opt-out of receiving SMS messages at any time by texting "STOP" to the number from which you received the message.

5. Communication Limitations

• Telephone: You acknowledge that communications made over the telephone may be recorded for quality assurance, training, or compliance purposes.
• SMS: Messages sent via SMS may be limited in content to ensure brevity and confidentiality. PHI sent through SMS is encrypted to the best of our ability, but it may still be susceptible to unauthorized access. If you prefer not to receive SMS messages containing PHI, please notify us immediately. If you have consented to receive text messages, you may receive SMS communications related to the following:
  • Clients and Guests: consent to receive text messages about scheduling and appointment confirmations.

6. User Responsibilities

• You are responsible for providing accurate contact information to the Company for the purpose of communication.
• You must inform the Company promptly of any changes to your contact information, including phone numbers or email addresses.
• You agree not to use the System for any unlawful or unauthorized purposes and not to transmit any harmful, offensive, or illegal content through the System. This includes misuse and abusive behavior.

7. Security and Data Protection

• The Company employs industry-standard encryption and security measures to protect your data during transmission.
• We maintain strict access control over any data stored in the System to ensure that only authorized personnel can access your PHI.
• While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Any unauthorized access, data breaches, or misuse of information will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable law.

8. No Emergency Communications  The System is not intended for emergency medical communications. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately by dialing 911.

 

9. Rights to Modify or Terminate Service  The Company reserves the right to modify or terminate the System or any of its features at any time, with or without notice, in order to improve services or for legal compliance purposes. We will notify you of any major changes that affect your rights or how we communicate with you. 

 

 10. Privacy Policy  Your privacy is important to us. The use of your personal information, including your health information, is governed by the Company’s Privacy Policy, which is available at SMS Privacy Policy for Autumnleaf Group Inc.  By using the System, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

  

11. Limitations of Liability  To the extent permitted by law, the Company will not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of the System, including but not limited to delays, system failures, or unauthorized access to your information.

 

12. Governing Law These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Virginia and/or the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved in the appropriate courts of Virginia and/or the District of Columbia.

13. Contact Information If you have any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, or if you wish to update your contact information or opt out of communications, please contact us.