Uber has introduced Uber Health, a new digital tool that will allow their users to book rides for patients who are in need of assistance while travelling to and from their appointments. This is an official partnership with healthcare organizations that will allow healthcare providers, caregivers, and staff to book a ride for patients to travel using Uber.
“If there are people who are missing their appointments because they’re using an unreliable bus service to get to and from their healthcare provider, this is a great solution for them,” Chris Weber, general manager of Uber Health, told The Verge. “The types of individuals this is valuable for really is limitless.”
In the bracket of non-emergency medical transportation, Uber is advertising itself as a cheaper and more reliable option. This service is in compliance with HIPAA privacy rules, and with the help of this service, a health care provider will be able to book a ride for patients and caregivers immediately or within a few hours. Once a medical appointment is scheduled, a healthcare associate will be able to book a ride. They will send the patient the details and remind him or her when the driver is on the way to pick the patient up.
“For many, their first ever Uber ride will be through Uber Health, so we’re committed to providing the necessary education tools that ensure every patient feels comfortable and at ease during their journey,” the company said in a statement Thursday, noting that users can choose to receive confirmation of their ride through a landline phone call instead of the usual text alert.
Uber Health is made available in two versions, one being an online dashboard and the second one as an API for software developers to integrate ride-hailing capabilities integrated into their own health care tools. Uber is further trying to make this service user friendly by providing this service to people who don’t have an Uber account, and they have also made it available on landlines or through a mobile phone which isn’t a smartphone.
As stated by this ride hailing service, more than 100 health care organizations are already using Uber Health by participating in their beta testing program.
