Overview
The Reminder Settings section allows you to configure how and when appointment reminders are sent to patients. These settings control both SMS and email communications to optimize patient attendance and communication efficiency.
SMS Credit Information
At the top of the page, you can view important account information:
SMS credit balance: The balance currently available
SMS cost: This will vary according to your country
Reminder Configuration Options
General Notification Settings
Send birthday reminders: Enable or disable automatic birthday messages. These are sent daily at 10am local time
Exclude archived patients from birthday SMS's: Option to skip inactive patients
Send Email reminders: Turn on/off email appointment notifications
Send SMS reminders: Enable or disable text message appointment reminders
Reminder Timing and Frequency
Send only one reminder: For patients with multiple appointments on the same day
Send reminders: Select when reminders are sent (e.g., 1 day before appointment)
Send reminders at: Set the specific time when reminders are delivered (e.g., 2 pm). Reminders will be queued for delivery near the specified time
SMS Reply Management
Confirm appointments from SMS replies: Automatically mark appointments as confirmed when patients reply with "Y" or "Yes"
Receive SMS replies in system: Enable the system to process incoming text responses. Replies will be displayed in the notifications tab on the Diary screen
Mobile Number for Replies: Enter the dedicated mobile number that receives patient responses if not receiving replies in the system. This must be validated with our SMS provider before it can be used. See the section below discussing number verification
Additional Information
When "Receive SMS replies in system" is unticked, the mobile number field is used to receive appointment confirmations
This feature overrides the "Mobile Number for Replies" when enabled
Actions
Back: Return to the previous screen without saving changes
Save: Apply and store your updated reminder settings
These settings help streamline your patient communication process and improve appointment attendance rates through automated reminders.
SMS Reply Number Verification
To receive SMS to a phone number external to iconpractice, that number must first be verified with our SMS provider. The provider also required that the number is re-verified every 12 months. To verify, untick the “Receive SMS replies in system” checkbox, and click the “Enter number” button.
Enter the reply number in the “Phone number” field and click the blue button to request a verification code. Enter the verification code in the respective field, click “Validate number”. The system will then save the number.
Every 12 months, you must re-verify the number. A notification will be displayed in the Notifications tab in the Diary one month before your number expires. Simply return to the Reminder Settings section, click “Re-verify number” and repeat the verification code process.
