Low-credit warnings and what happens when SMS runs out

The low-balance warning helps you spot when you need more SMS credits. Email versions can still send where their own sending conditions are met.

The low-balance warning

When your clinic has tried to send texts in the last 30 days and the balance drops below 20 credits, your clinic is emailed a warning with the remaining count and a Top up SMS credits button that takes you straight to the Messaging page. You will not be nagged: the reminder repeats at most once every 28 days.

What happens at zero

A text that would cost more credits than you have is skipped, not queued or sent on credit. Two safety nets soften this:

• The matching email version can still go out if that send path supports email, the patient has an email address and the email automation and channel are on. Patient automated-message preferences still apply.
• Every skipped text is recorded on the patient's record under Messages with status Skipped, so you can see exactly which texts did not go out.

Skipped texts are not sent retrospectively after you top up; new messages simply start sending again.

Avoiding the situation entirely

Switch on Auto top-up on the SMS credits card. With a usable saved payment method and a suitable threshold, auto top-up can replenish your balance. Check the card for warnings about a missing payment method or a failed charge; it cannot guarantee that texts will continue.

Who receives the warning

Low-credit notices go to your clinic’s notification or contact inbox, falling back to active owners if no inbox is set. The daily check starts at 09:00 UK time and a clinic is warned no more often than once every 28 days. A recent text skipped because there were no credits can also qualify your clinic for the warning, even if you have never bought a pack.