Portico Healthnet delivers secure, accessible healthcare support across Minnesota.
For nearly 30 years, Portico Healthnet has been a lifeline for uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans, helping families enroll in programs like Medicaid and MinnesotaCare. With a team of just 30 people, many reflecting the immigrant communities they serve, Portico’s mission is to ensure consistent healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
We wanted our cake and to eat it too — a very secure solution, but also super translatable and intuitive to a highly diverse population.
A very secure solution that is also translatable and intuitive for a highly diverse population.
When the pandemic struck, Portico’s traditionally in-person model faced a critical test: “If we had to do this remotely, what would it look like?” Most households they serve live at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, and for many, mobile phones are their primary — often only — gateway to the internet.
More than half of Portico’s work takes place in languages other than English. Solutions had to be sleek and intuitive on a phone screen, impose minimal burden with no complex steps or unnecessary data entry, and make no trade-offs on security or compliance.
Mobile-first design, minimal text to navigate, HIPAA business associate coverage, and the ability to pass partner security audits without sacrificing usability.
The Dropzone became the central link in the workflow
Portico quickly pieced together tools for e-signatures and case management, but a glaring gap remained: secure document collection. Consumers needed to submit pay stubs, tax forms, or IDs before they could qualify for coverage, and traditional secure email was clunky and confusing for their community.
- Feature 01SMS Friendly
Portico’s navigators text a Dropzone link directly to a consumer — meeting people on the device they already use, with no app to install and no account to create.
- Feature 02Mobile Optimized
A clean, intuitive interface works seamlessly on smartphones, with minimal text to navigate — critical for the majority of interactions that happen in a language other than English.
- Feature 03Secure and Compliant
The Dropzone meets HIPAA business associate requirements and partner security audits without sacrificing usability. Expiration controls on shared files simplify vendor qualification.
- Feature 04Partner Communications
Portico also uses SendSafely’s secure email integration for partner-to-partner communications, especially with larger organizations that have stringent security standards.
Expanded reach and new service models.
Statewide Reach
In the last year alone, Portico assisted consumers in 61 of Minnesota’s 87 counties — a dramatic expansion of the service area.
Pop-Up Clinics
Mobile-friendly document submission enabled pop-up enrollment clinics where families complete enrollment end-to-end, securely.
Compliance Confidence
HIPAA-aligned handling and expiration controls reinforce Portico’s reputation as a responsible steward of sensitive data.
“Our consumers deserve efficient and easy-to-use, best-in-class services — just like any other consumer.”
Molly McCormick · Chief Operating Officer, Portico HealthnetSee how others protect what matters.
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