CarePlus NJ is teaming up with ride-sharing platform Uber’s Uber Health service to provide rides for those traveling to and from appointments, the Paramus-based health services company announced Friday.
The initiative is part of a larger plan by CarePlus to expand access to treatment, allowing those receiving primary medical care and behavioral health services at CarePlus facilities to obtain transportation through Uber Health.
“People miss appointments every day for vital outpatient services, including ambulatory detox and psychiatric evaluations,” Jeremy Levy, associate vice president of strategy and innovation at CarePlus, said in a prepared statement. “Lack of reliable transportation is one of the leading causes of missed appointments and can particularly impede access and continuity of care for underserved populations, such as veterans and justice-involved individuals.
“Working with Uber Health will enable CarePlus to connect individuals to care they would otherwise not receive due to transportation barriers.”
Using the service, CarePlus staff can request and coordinate rides for patients using HIPAA privacy-compliant technology.
“We are excited to partner with CarePlus NJ in our efforts to remove transportation as a barrier to care,” Aaron Crowell, head of Uber Health, said in a statement. “Every year, 3.6 million Americans miss doctor appointments due to a lack of reliable transportation. By leveraging the HIPAA-compliant Uber Health platform, CarePlus coordinators are able to schedule reliable, comfortable rides for those in need.”
