Texting with Us at Independence Northwest
Independence Northwest uses TigerConnect for secure text messaging and phone video chats. There are no apps to download and no logins or passwords for you to remember.
TigerConnect is very similar to SMS texting. The difference is it’s HIPAA-compliant, which means it’s a safe and secure way to communicate with your INW Personal Agent.
Getting started is easy. Just follow the steps below.
Step 1.
We send you a secure text message.
It all starts with a secure text message from your Personal Agent.
The initial text will come from the phone number 323-432-9301.
Please save this number in your phone contacts as INW Secure Messaging. That way, you’ll know it’s us in the future!
Step 2.
You receive the message and click on the secure link.
Check out the message in the example image.
You’ll notice:
- The name of a person from Independence Northwest and
- A link (which has our name in it too, which means it’s safe to click.)
Tap the link to open the secure message.
Step 3.
We chat!
Your conversation with us will appear – just like a regular text message.
Notice that there’s now a picture of the INW staff person and that the address at the top of the screen includes our name.
You can tap on “Write message here” to compose a message and send it our way.
You can even securely attach a photo or file by using the plus sign at the bottom left of the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is TigerConnect?
TigerConnect is an easy to use, HIPAA-compliant way for you to send and receive secure text messages with us here at INW. It also has a secure video chat feature.
2. Do I have to download an app on my phone?
No. You don’t have to download anything and there are no logins or passwords! You just need a smartphone with a current phone/data plan (see question 3 below.)
3. I have an Android or iOS Apple device, what else do I need?
In order to be able to engage in a secure chat session or video call with us, your device must also have one of the following browsers available on it:
• iOS Apple phone: Safari
• Android phone: Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Browser
4. Can I use secure chat or video calling from my computer?
Yes. While secure chat and video calling rely on SMS texting to receive links to initiate a secure text or video call session, you may be able to receive the links via your computer. If you are able to retrieve your SMS messages on a desktop or laptop computer, the following browsers are supported:
• Windows/Mac: Chrome/Firefox
• Mac only: Safari
5. How will I know when Independence Northwest staff are contacting me for secure chat?
Secure texts from Independence Northwest will come from the phone number (323) 431-9301. We recommend you add this number to your phone contacts and label it INW Secure Messaging.
When we message you, you’ll get a text message that says:
“You have a secure message from (Employee Name) at Independence Northwest. To view or reply, tap here.”
When you click the link, we’ll be able to chat together!
6. What if I don’t want to use TigerConnect?
If you’d like to text with us, we need to use TigerConnect. Our contract with the State of Oregon requires that we communicate with our customers on HIPAA-compliant platforms.
If you send us a text message, that’s okay. We’ll respond with a link to get us into a secure chatting environment.
Please note: Texting isn’t required to receive services. We are still available to connect with you by email, phone, Zoom, and in person. Whichever method works for you works for us.
Download a copy of the texting Quick Reference document above by clicking here.
Coming Soon: Quick Reference documents in Spanish and Russian.
Customer Guides for Joining a TigerConnect Video Call
Other ways to connect with us:
In Person | By Video | By Phone | By Text | By Email | By Mail