Uber today launched a new initiative that’s aimed at helping people get to their doctor’s appointments. The company says that more than 3.6 million Americans miss doctor appointments annually due to a lack of reliable transportation with no-show rates being as high as 30 percent across the country. Uber has thus teamed up with healthcare organizations to provide reliable transportation for patients.
Healthcare professionals will have access to a dashboard from where they can order rides for patients to and from the care they need. They will also be able to keep track of billing, reporting, and management using the dashboard. Coordinators will be able to schedule rides on behalf of patients, staff, and caregivers to take place immediately, in a few hours or even up to 30 days in advance.
This means that transportation for follow-up appointments can be scheduled while still at the facility. All of this is done through text message so riders don’t even need to own a smartphone for Uber Health. Uber will also add an option for riders to receive a call with their trip details to their mobile phone or landline instead.
Uber Health is currently being used by more than 100 healthcare organizations in the United States including clinics, hospitals, rehab centers, senior care facilities, and more as part of a beta program. More information about this new initiative is available on Uber Health’s website.