Carafem

What Carafem does

Carafem is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit reproductive healthcare organization founded in 2013 and operated under FemHealth USA, Inc., providing medication abortion (abortion pills by mail) via telehealth across 21 states and in-clinic abortion, birth control, and reproductive health services at three physical health centers located in Atlanta, GA, Skokie, IL (Chicago area), and Chevy Chase, MD (Washington DC area). The organization serves individuals seeking abortion and reproductive healthcare, with a particular emphasis on underserved populations facing geographic, financial, and informational barriers, and has cumulatively served over 150,000 clients.

Its core technology is a telehealth platform anchored by Cara, a proprietary text-based virtual care companion launched in April 2021 that provides 24/7 automated guidance, reminders, and question-answering throughout the medication abortion process and escalates to human clinicians when needed. A second proprietary capability, Immediate Evaluation (launched January 2023), enables asynchronous online eligibility screening for abortion pills by mail without requiring a synchronous video visit, with clinician review in 1-2 business days and discreet shipping in 1-4 business days. The organization runs on Athena Health for patient scheduling and medical records and maintains HIPAA-compliant operations.

Carafem's revenue model is hybrid: sliding-scale client fees for telehealth ($0-$399, average $225) and in-clinic visits ($0-$475), insurance and Medicaid reimbursement for in-person appointments in select states, and donations and grants from major foundations including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Harman Family Foundation, and the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, supplemented by corporate giving and individual donations. The organization reports 60% of clients receive financial assistance, 99% would recommend carafem to a friend, and 88% would choose telehealth again; it has no disclosed venture capital or private equity funding.

Name

Carafem

Legal name

FemHealth USA, Inc.

Website

https://carafem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carafem is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit reproductive healthcare organization providing medication abortion via telehealth in 21 states and in-clinic services at three locations, with proprietary technology including the Cara text-based virtual care companion and Immediate Evaluation async screening.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reproductive Healthcare Services

NAICS

Family Planning Centers (62141), Offices of Physicians (62111), Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers (621493)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Planning & Contraception (Including Abortion Care) (HLAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contraception & Family Planning Telehealth (birth control, counseling, follow-up) (HLALAHAB), Women’s Health & Contraception Prescribing + Pharmacy Delivery Platforms (HLALAIAI)

Keywords

• Abortion care services
• Reproductive healthcare
• Telehealth medication abortion
• Birth control services
• Sexual health clinics

Headquarters

HQ city

Chevy Chase

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Telehealth/Online Abortion Care: Revenue from online abortion care services including video visits and Immediate Evaluation for abortion pills shipped by mail. Services priced on sliding scale from $0-$399.
2. In-Clinic Abortion Services: Revenue from in-person abortion care at health centers including abortion pill appointments and in-office procedures. In-office abortion pill visits range $0-$475; in-office procedures priced by location.
3. Insurance and Medicaid: Carafem accepts health insurance for in-person appointments and Medicaid in certain states, generating revenue through insurance reimbursements.
4. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, carafem receives donations from individuals, foundations (Hewlett Foundation, Packard Foundation, Harman Family Foundation, Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation), and corporate giving programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carafem delivers medication abortion, in-clinic abortion, and broader reproductive healthcare (birth control, STI testing/treatment, ultrasound) via a hybrid telehealth and three-clinic model, enhanced by a 24/7 text-based virtual care companion. Services are offered on a sliding-scale fee from $0 to $475, with insurance, Medicaid, abortion-fund, and foundation-grant support available to reduce cost barriers.

Product overview

Carafem is a reproductive healthcare organization offering a integrated platform of abortion and contraceptive services through both telehealth (online care) and in-clinic channels. The core offerings include medication abortion (abortion pills by mail) and in-clinic abortion procedures, supported by AI-powered virtual companion Cara, missed period pills, advance provision of abortion pills, birth control, testing services, and financial assistance programs. The company operates 3 physical health centers in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington DC, while serving clients in 21 states through its telehealth platform. Key differentiators include 24/7 text-based AI support via Cara, Immediate Evaluation for quick eligibility determination, sliding-scale pricing, and partnerships with abortion funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Abortion Care (Abortion Pills by Mail) Telehealth abortion care service allowing clients to receive FDA-approved abortion medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) by mail after an online evaluation or video visit with licensed providers, available in 21 states with 24/7 medical support.
• In-Clinic Abortion Pills In-office abortion pill appointments where clients meet a provider in person, take the first medication dose during the visit, and receive instructions for at-home completion of the medication abortion.
• In-Clinic Abortion (Procedural) In-office abortion procedure performed by experienced medical providers in a private, supportive setting, lasting about 6 minutes with the full appointment 90 minutes or less, available up to about 13 weeks of pregnancy.
• Abortion Pills for Future Use Advance provision service allowing clients to order abortion pills before they need them so they are prepared if an unexpected pregnancy occurs, with no current pregnancy or positive test required.
• Missed Period Pills FDA-approved abortion medications that allow individuals to take action when their period is late without requiring a positive pregnancy test, using the same medications as the abortion pill to safely end a potential early pregnancy.
• Cara Virtual Care Companion Text-based virtual assistant that guides clients through the abortion process 24/7, providing step-by-step instructions, reminders, check-ins, and real-time answers to questions, with escalation to human providers when needed.
• Birth Control Services Comprehensive birth control counseling and provision including pills, shots, IUDs, and other contraceptive options, with same-day access and personalized counseling at carafem health centers.
• Testing and Treatment Services STI testing and treatment, yeast infection treatment, and BV treatment at carafem health centers, with affordable pricing and clear cost communication.
• Immediate Evaluation for Abortion Pills Asynchronous online eligibility evaluation allowing clients to request abortion pills by mail after completing a questionnaire 24/7, without a video visit or phone call, with clinician review and discreet shipping within days.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ChoixminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Choix closed its virtual doors and launched a partnership with carafem, referring patients to carafem's services.
• Gynuity Health ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership in 2019 on the TelAbortion study, a groundbreaking effort to provide abortion pills by mail after a secure, encrypted video visit. Results informed the FDA's 2021 ruling to allow abortion medication by mail permanently.
• Ibis Reproductive HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research study on satisfaction with medication abortion services among telehealth and in-person clients, contributing to evidence base for telehealth abortion care.
• National Abortion FederationcoreOthersProfessional membership organization for abortion providers. carafem's standards and guidelines are approved by NAF's Board of Directors.
• Abortion Care NetworkcoreOthersMember of network for independent abortion providers, collaborating on advocacy and best practices.
• Society of Family PlanningminorOthersCollaborates through leadership roles in this professional organization for family planning providers.
• JhpiegominorOthersCollaborates through leadership roles in this global health organization.
• National Working Group on Period PillsminorOthersCollaborates through leadership roles in this working group focused on period pill access.
• DKT InternationalminorOthersCollaborates through leadership roles in this international reproductive health organization.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Society of Family Planning: Professional membership organization for family planning researchers and clinicians that carafem collaborates with. Adjacent rather than competitive, but relevant as a research and policy infrastructure peer that shapes the evidence base carafem's model depends on.

Direct peers

• Boulder Abortion Clinic: Independent abortion clinic specializing in later procedural abortion care. Comparable to carafem's in-clinic procedural services and independent nonprofit posture, though with a narrower geographic footprint and later-gestation focus.
• Hey Jane: Virtual abortion care clinic providing medication abortion by mail with asynchronous intake. Directly competes with carafem's telehealth abortion service on overlapping state coverage, pricing, and patient experience, although as a for-profit venture-backed company.
• Just the Pill: Telehealth abortion provider dispensing pills by mail and operating mobile clinics in select states. Directly comparable to carafem's hybrid telehealth + physical clinic model with focus on accessibility and rapid access to medication abortion.
• Aid Access: Telehealth abortion service offering medication abortion via mail, including into states with restrictions via international prescribing. Closely comparable to carafem on service model (async evaluation + mail delivery) though operates internationally and is structured as a nonprofit.
• DuPont Clinic: Independent clinic in Washington, D.C. offering procedural abortion and complex contraception care. Comparable to carafem's Chevy Chase/DC-area clinic and its emphasis on private, client-centered, high-acuity care.
• Whole Woman's Health: Independent abortion care provider operating multiple physical health centers and advocating for access. Directly comparable to carafem's in-clinic abortion services, mission-driven nonprofit structure, and litigation history against state restrictions.
• Abortion on Demand: Telehealth medication abortion service providing asynchronous eligibility screening and mail-order medication in select states. Closely comparable to carafem's telehealth workflow and pricing approach, though with a narrower state footprint.

Emerging players

• Choix: Former telehealth abortion startup that closed its virtual doors in October 2023 and transitioned patients to carafem. Directly comparable as a previous direct competitor and now an explicit referral partner.

Broad incumbents

• Planned Parenthood Federation of America: Largest U.S. reproductive health provider offering abortion, contraception, and STI services across hundreds of clinics. Broadly comparable on service mix and telehealth abortion, but at vastly greater scale and as a national federation rather than an independent operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carafem
• TikToktiktok.com/@carafem
• Xx.com/carafem
• Facebookfacebook.com/carafemhealth

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carafem