Using office number for text messaging

NextPatient can use a practices office number to send and receive text messages.

In most situations, NextPatient can send and receive text messages using the office's number. Key notes:

• This does not impact the office's ability to make or receive calls
• This does not impact the billing for voice services
• This will remove the ability to send or receive text messages for this number through other platforms.
• Each hosted number can be assigned to only one NextPatient practice locations; if there are multiple NextPatient locations requesting this feature, each will require a unique number. 

What are the steps to host a number?

1. Provide a list of the requested numbers to the account's Account Manager. This should also include the name, email, title, and direct phone number for the person authorized to make the request. Additionally, include the billing address for the phone service. 
2. These numbers will be verified for eligibility to be a hosted number; those that are eligible will be submitted to our hosting partner.
3. An LOA, or letter of authorization, will be sent to the authorized contact within the practice to sign via an electronic signature service. This is once per order submission, not per number unless the numbers are provided over time in batches. 
4. Upon completion of the LOA, we will process each number and have the SMS hosting services registered and begin testing. Once testing is completed, we will assign each number to the allocated NextPatient location and notify the account that the SMS services are live. 
   1. During this time, if there are other services using this number for texting, they will be disabled at this time. 

How long does this process take? 

This typically only takes about 2-4 business days assuming no delays in signing the LOA.