Hackensack Meridian Health. –
Hackensack Meridian Health Thursday announced a new collaboration with Uber Health to provide patients with access to transportation to and from medical care. This collaboration will help address a critical need and improve access for New Jersey residents.
This collaboration will offer rides for eligible patients discharged from the hospital, traveling to and from doctor’s appointments, and even assist medical students after long shifts and Monmouth University students visiting the Eatontown Urgent Care.
Lack of transportation to and from medical care impacts access to healthcare, according to the National Institutes of Health. A from the Community Transportation Association, a Washington D.C.-based trade group, found that 3.6 million Americans — including nearly 1 million children — missed or were late to medical appointments as a result of transportation issues.
Ride-sharing platforms and hospitals have forged partnerships to address the patient-transportation issue in New Jersey. In May, RWJBarnabas Health said it was joining with Uber Health and also that month, Hackensack Meridian Health announced it had partnered with the ride-sharing company Lyft.
By leveraging Uber Health’s technology, Hackensack Meridian Health aims to reduce missed appointments and improve adherence to care plans, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the importance of this collaboration for expanding access and driving innovation in healthcare delivery. “This collaboration with Uber Health underscores our commitment to providing convenient, personalized care for all New Jerseyans,” said Garrett. “By addressing transportation challenges, we’re improving access to vital medical services and fostering a more equitable and patient-centered healthcare system. This is just one example of leveraging innovation to enhance the patient experience and improve health outcomes.”
The program initially focuses on non-emergency medical transportation, but Hackensack Meridian Health may leverage Uber Health’s other offerings in the future, including prescription delivery, and grocery and over-the-counter item delivery, to further enhance patient care.
Uber Health’s HIPAA-enabled platform prioritizes patient privacy and is designed for ease of use for patients and healthcare providers. Riders do not need the Uber app, a credit card, or a smartphone to benefit from rides requested with Uber Health and communications are available in dozens of languages.
