PATIENT ENGAGEMENT INNOVATION

Free Clinic Usage in 2024

Over 150 Free & Charitable Clinics, Pharmacies, and Student-Run Free Clinics used CareMessage in 2024 to engage with patients across the United States. This report summarizes the way these organizations used the platform to deliver health equity to low-income patients nationally.

Outcomes Achieved

Increased Access to Care - By connecting low-income populations with an established medical home, free clinics are able to help navigate access to the broader healthcare system. This results in cost-savings to their local communities by treating conditions early, and preventing utilization of more costly services like emergency rooms or urgent care.

Improved Clinical Outcomes - With an established medical home, free clinics offer a breadth of wellness and prevention programs. In fact, the two most common topics on CareMessage are Nutrition and Exercise. Through an incredible workforce of staff and volunteers, they offer comprehensive care to all.

Addressed Social Drivers of Health - In an effort to improve clinical outcomes and access to care, clinics address non-medical social needs. They connect patients with resources for food and financial assistance, support with benefit applications, and also tackle a variety of other areas. They are a key resource to deliver more than healthcare.

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Free Clinic Reach in 2024

Free Clinic Map
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Organizations
k+
Patients Messaged
M+
Messages Exchanged

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Patient Engagement Innovation at Free Clinics - National Free Clinic Data - Overview

Access CareMessage's new report on "Patient Engagement Innovation at Free Clinics". The report utilizes AI-driven content analysis and categorization to derive insights from the most common topics at free clinics in 2024.

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Increased Access to Care through Patient Lifecycle Messaging

M+
Messages Delivered

Free clinics tackle challenges along the patient journey. From bringing patients in and assessing eligibility, to appointment lifecycle messaging. They support utilization of services that address broader availability, affordability, delivery, and quality in healthcare.

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Health Insurance Enrollment Support

Connecting eligible patients to health insurance counselors or providing information about programs like Medicare.

20k+

Service Eligibility Screening

Remind patients about renewing their eligibility for the free clinic's services or specific programs within it, often requiring proof of income or other documentation.

30k+

Appointment Availability & Annual Wellness Reminders

Announcing availability of appointments, new services like mobile clinics or specialist availability, and reaching patients not seen in a while.

40k+

Appointment Reminders, Confirmations, Cancellations, and Rescheduling

Standard reminders for scheduled appointments, capturing attendance status, or supporting patients to reschedule.

1M+

Administrative and Time-Sensitive Notices

Informing about changes in hours, temporary closures due to holidays, weather, construction, staffing issues, or relocations.

650k+

No-Show Follow Up

Reaching out to patients who were no-shows to prompt rescheduling or understand the reasons for the no-show.

<10k

Patient Surveys

Regularly asking for patient input via surveys to improve services, understand needs, or evaluate specific programs. Inviting patients to participate in focus groups for more in-depth feedback.

80k+

Clinic Events

Notices for health fairs, special events
such as holiday celebrations, cultural events, and community picnics/dinners.

220k+

Clinic Classes

Numerous classes on topics like diabetes education/prevention, nutrition, cooking, stress management, mental health, exercise, and more.

80k+

Medication Assistance

Reminding patients about renewing enrollment in charitable pharmacy programs or specific assistance programs to continue receiving free or low-cost medications.

30k+

Medication Reminders

Notifying patients when prescriptions are ready for pickup, often with a pickup window.

60k+

Lab Reminders

Reminders of pending lab tests that are due, with instructions to book a lab appointments.

<10k

Clinic Referrals

Availability of specialty services within the clinic or at partner locations.

<10k

Improved Clinical Outcomes through Education and Treatment

Free clinics leverage their own resources and key community partnerships to cover a breadth of clinical areas to improve population health. Their services offer a comprehensive set of services that promote wellness, address prevention, increase screenings, and improve disease management.

Exercise

Exercise classes like
Zumba, yoga, walking groups, and general fitness programs. "Walk With A Doc" events.

360k+

Smoking Cessation

Smoking cessation program, offering lung tests, nicotine replacement, and counseling.

10k+

Nutrition

Cooking classes/demonstrations focusing on healthy meals, reading food labels, and specific dietary approaches (e.g., for diabetes). Resources like the "Food as Medicine" or "Veggie Rx" programs, directly linking nutritious food to health management.

190k+

Immunizations

Vaccination clinics for flu, COVID-19, and other vaccines like Tdap, HPV, MMR, and Hepatitis B. Education on the importance of staying up-to-date on immunizations.

85k+

Breast Cancer

Mammogram screening events and reminders. Educational workshops on breast cancer awareness.

20k+

Cervical Cancer

Hosting "pap smear nights" or women's health events. Sending reminders for screenings.

15k+

Colorectal Cancer

Screening events, reminders, and educational sessions on colon cancer prevention.

10k+

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer screenings (PSA blood tests) and events for men in specific age ranges.

<10k

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer screening events, information on early signs, and distribution of supplies such as sun screen.

<10k

Well Child, Women and Men’s Health

Annual Wellness Visits and general check-ups for all patients including "Well Woman Clinics", men's health, and school/sports physicals for children.

20k+

Behavioral Health

Mental health counseling, new provider availability, support groups and classes on stress management.

40k+

Dental Health

Availability for cleanings, screenings, and sometimes more extensive procedures like extractions or fillings.

30k+

Vision Health

Vision screening events, eye clinics, and assistance in getting free eyeglasses if prescribed.

25k+

Reproductive Health

Program on communication skills, access to screenings and contraceptives.

<10k

Diabetes

Educational classes, promoting A1c check-ups, providing specific resources, and support groups.

60k+

Pregnancy and Parent Support

Parenting classes/groups, support for new/expecting parents through events like "Baby 101". Community baby showers, often providing essential supplies like diapers

20k+

High Blood Pressure

Classes on hypertension management, self-monitoring, and screenings at health fairs.

30k+

High Cholesterol

Chronic disease management classes, and screenings at health fairs.

10k+

Addressed Social Drivers of Health through Community Connections

k+
Messages Delivered

Free clinics are key connectors and navigators of their communities, helping patients access the resources needed to improve their overall wellbeing. Clinics tackle these non-medical social needs from all angles, screening for needs, driving awareness of resources, and ultimately ensuring support arrives to meet pressing needs.

Meeting Basic Needs

Food

Announcing on-site or mobile food pantry distributions, holiday meal giveaways, promoting SNAP application assistance.

350k+

Housing

Emergency housing or extending housing vouchers, utility assistance information, and disaster relief support for temporary shelter.

15k

Transportation

Clinic-provided transportation, management of appointment booking, information about paid ride-share programs.

<10k

Supporting Navigation

Case Management and
One-to-One Support

Active case management in connecting patients to a wide variety of resources, and direct text message based follow-up.

150k+

Benefit Application Support

Events or information about applying for broader benefits like SNAP or utility assistance programs.

60k+

Needs Assessments

Assess patient interest in navigation support, and checking in after natural disasters.

<10k

Driving Awareness of Existing Resources

Financial Inclusion

Affordable annual tax filing services, financial workshops and wellness seminars, and financial literacy classes.

100k+

Digital Access

Distributing tablets, education on internet discount programs, computer literacy, digital skills, and education on identifying digital scams.

40k+

Education

Services from preschool and summer camps, to financial aid for college and back-to-school support. Adult classes for ESL, GED, and citizenship.

35k+

Direct Resource Distribution

Diaper/Clothing/Hygiene distribution, and connecting patients to resources during/after disasters.

20k+

Job Placement Support

Information about internship programs, job fairs, and classes on how to prepare for a job fair.

<10k

Legal Services

Information about worker’s rights, immigration, and citizenship services.

<10k

Interested in achieving these results? Learn about CareMessage's Free Clinic Program.

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