How do I send appointment reminder calls instead of SMS?

To send appointment reminder calls instead of SMS, you’ll generally need to switch from an SMS channel to a voice/robocall/automated call channel in your reminder system.

Basic steps

1. Check your reminder tool/provider

   • Look for options like Voice calls, Call reminders, Text-to-speech, or IVR.
   • Some platforms support both SMS and voice from the same workflow.

2. Use the patient’s phone number

   • Make sure you have a valid phone number with consent to be called for reminders.

3. Create a call script

   • Example:
     “Hello, this is a reminder of your appointment with Dr. Smith on Tuesday at 3:00 PM. Please press 1 to confirm or call back to reschedule.”

4. Schedule the call

   • Configure when calls should be sent before the appointment, such as:
     • 24 hours before
     • 2 hours before
     • Same-day reminder

5. Enable confirmation options

   • If your platform supports it, let recipients:
     • Press a key to confirm
     • Leave a voicemail
     • Be transferred to the office

6. Test the call flow

   • Make sure the timing, caller ID, message quality, and fallback behavior work correctly.

If you’re using a specific platform

The exact steps depend on the system:

• Twilio: use Programmable Voice instead of Messaging
• RingCentral / Zoom Phone / Dialpad / etc.: configure an auto-dial or voice campaign
• EHR/appointment software: enable voice reminders in reminder settings

Important note

Make sure you comply with local calling rules and consent requirements, especially for automated calls.

If you tell me which platform or software you’re using, I can give you the exact steps.