Partnering together to remove transportation as a barrier to care

Each year, 3.6 million Americans miss doctor appointments due to a lack of reliable transportation – and barriers to transportation are greatest for vulnerable populations, including patients with the highest burden of chronic disease. We recognized early on the importance of partnering directly with healthcare to build HIPAA-compliant solutions that address the unique considerations when requesting rides on behalf of patients. We have continued to invest in partnerships with innovative companies on solutions that move care forward for those in need.

To expand access to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) on both the Uber app and the Uber Health dashboard, we last year teamed up with MV Transportation, a national third-party transportation provider, to bring their fleet of drivers and hundreds of WAVs onto our platform in several cities. And in dozens of cities, those who need additional assistance can access Uber Assist, which connects riders to drivers who have completed third-party training to provide an extra hand.

We are proud to announce a partnership with Ambulnz, which provides medical transport services for those who need greater support. By integrating Uber Health Application Programming Interface (API) technology into the Ambulnz platform, we’re making it even easier for healthcare providers to request non-emergency medical transportation for their patients through an integrated solution that offers Uber Health as an additional option for Ambulnz customers.

Healthcare providers benefit from one portal to request various levels of care during transportation for patients, saving time and expense while maximizing transparency. With access to different types of Uber Health and Ambulnz rides in a centralized place, healthcare providers can spend more time focused on patients instead of the tools and technology to get them where they need to go at exactly the right moment.

Ambulnz CEO, Stan Vashovsky remarked, “Hospitals and medical systems want one place to order all kinds of transports depending on what the patient requires. This portal allows the patients’ needs to be addressed accurately and efficiently while keeping us organized and streamlined. Furthermore, the integration of the Ambulnz platform with hospital Electronic Health Records further streamlines the requesting, information gathering, payment and dispatch process.”

Selecting the right level of service for patients is critical to moving patients efficiently, reducing costs, and freeing resources for those most in need. On the Ambulnz platform, there is a quick and simple flow of questions that empowers medical professionals to assess the level of care needed during transportation. Neither Uber nor Ambulnz is a substitute for emergency first response through 911. In the event of any medical emergency, call 911.

UCHealth, a large health care system based in Colorado, already utilizes Ambulnz for patient transports and now leverages the API integration with Uber Health to improve visitor and patient transportation options to its facilities. “By having the ability to order a sedan, Ambulette or an ambulance from a single web portal or an app, our facilities will be able to more efficiently manage transportation needs, improving the overall experience and care of our patients,” said UCHealth Chief Innovation Officer Richard Zane, MD.

Together, we’ve made great progress – and it’s by working together through partnerships such as this that we will continue to break down transportation as a barrier to care.

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Learn more about how Uber Health helps reduce barriers to care and supports improved health outcomes by delivering more efficient, flexible and transparent mobility solutions by clicking below.