CareMessage

CareMessage is a technology nonprofit operating a patient engagement platform designed specifically for safety-net healthcare organizations serving low-income populations in the United States. Founded in 2012, the organization has reached 20 million patients nationwide, working with federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), free clinics, tribal health organizations, and primary care associations.

The platform provides SMS-based patient communication tools including 1:1 direct messaging, population outreach, health coaching, SDOH workflows, closed-loop referrals, and appointment lifecycle messaging. CareMessage integrates with major EHR systems via HL7, FHIR, API, and SFTP formats, using patented AI-backed technology for patient segmentation and targeted engagement. The organization currently serves one in seven FQHCs nationwide and over 200 free and charitable clinics across 51 U.S. states and territories.

A 2025 Stanford study published in JAMA Network Open validated the platform's text-based health coaching effectiveness for physical activity promotion. The nonprofit model allows CareMessage to reinvest revenue into impact rather than shareholder returns, with the team including members with lived experiences in low-income communities. The organization has raised over $43 million in philanthropic capital from institutional donors including Johnson & Johnson, Twilio.org, and the Ballmer Group.

CareMessage excels when organizations need to reach vulnerable populations where traditional patient engagement tools fail. The platform addresses specific barriers like language access, digital literacy, and competing priorities that affect low-income patients. Organizations should expect a partner who understands the unique operational and financial constraints of safety-net healthcare.

The combination of clinical evidence, specialized SDOH capabilities, and deep EHR integration makes this particularly valuable for FQHCs pursuing value-based care arrangements. The nonprofit model ensures alignment with mission-driven health equity goals rather than commercial expansion priorities.

CareMessage operates exclusively in healthcare with 100% focus on safety-net organizations. The platform addresses healthcare-specific challenges including appointment lifecycle management, chronic disease monitoring (particularly diabetes), preventive care outreach, and SDOH screening and referrals. All integrations are healthcare-focused, supporting major EHR systems and interoperability standards like HL7 and FHIR.

The organization works across multiple safety-net verticals including FQHCs (one in seven nationwide), free and charitable clinics (200+), tribal health organizations, and primary care associations. The platform supports HIPAA compliance with BAA availability and includes specialized workflows for value-based care quality measures relevant to Medicaid and underinsured populations.

Federally qualified health centers, free clinics, tribal health organizations, and other safety-net providers serving populations at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Organizations committed to health equity who need to improve access, preventive care, and quality measures while addressing social determinants of health at scale with limited staff resources.