High-Tech Texts Bring Health Care to Hard-to-Reach Patients

A high-tech version of text messaging helps Medicaid-managed care plans and health centers in nine states engage with non-English speaking patients and pull them into the health-care system.

The idea is to get more patients involved in preventative care, which can improve patient outcomes and lower costs for health plans. Preventative care can avoid costly procedures and services that often are needed for patients who’ve never had regular health care.

The high-tech texts are courtesy of ConsejoSano, one of several vendors that have jumped into the growing field of health-care text messaging. The Los Angeles-based company offers unique messages geared ...