As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, accessing medical care becomes more challenging for many people. One significant hurdle stands in the way of people accessing the medical care they need: transportation. Particularly for seniors and individuals with disabilities or diseases, getting to and from medical appointments can be incredibly challenging, often dangerous or impossible using public transportation.
This is where the idea of ridesharing and carpooling programs comes in. The primary objective of these programs is to provide an affordable and safe way to get people to and from medical appointments. In this article, we will look at some of the best ridesharing and carpooling programs for medical transportation and critical care.
Uber Health: The Leader in Ridesharing Programs
Uber Health is the current leader in ridesharing programs designed specifically for medical transportation. The service, which is integrated with multiple Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, allows healthcare providers to schedule rides on behalf of their patients. One of the key advantages of Uber Health is that it makes it easier for healthcare providers to communicate with their patients about their scheduled appointments.
Uber Health has also taken steps to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable on their journeys. For example, the company has installed a two-way rating system that allows riders and drivers to evaluate each other based on their experiences.
Lyft Concierge: A Strong Competitor
Lyft Concierge is another popular option in the ridesharing category. It allows organizations such as healthcare providers, social workers, and meal delivery services to schedule rides on behalf of their clients. Drivers on Lyft are thoroughly vetted, and Lyft Concierge has a two-way messaging system that allows providers to keep track of their clients’ progress.
One advantage of Lyft Concierge is that it reduces the number of no-shows, as patients are sent reminders via SMS or phone call. Lyft Concierge also has multiple languages available, making it an excellent choice for individuals who speak a language other than English.
Circulation: The Innovative Choice
Circulation is a unique ridesharing program that combines technology platforms with medical expertise to provide seamless rides for patients, particularly those in sensitive medical conditions. The app links with all Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, ensuring accurate data is uploaded to the platform. Circulation operates in real-time, which means drivers can quickly assess potential passengers’ medical conditions and needs.
Circulation also has a high level of customizability, allowing healthcare providers to make certain individuals ineligible for certain rides, such as those who can’t transfer themselves or have difficulty sitting upright in a car.
Veyo: The Carpooling Option
Veyo is a carpooling service designed for non-emergency medical transportation. The platform enables healthcare providers to arrange and manage rides for their patients. Veyo offers some benefits such as door-through-door services for patients, which means the drivers are responsible for ensuring patients are safe and comfortable from their point of origin to the doorstep of their destination.
Veyo is also notable for offering rides on a subscription basis, meaning patients can access rides outside of appointments, such as to social events or family gatherings.
Nonprofits and Volunteer Programs
Not all ridesharing and carpooling programs are profit-based. Some nonprofit organizations and volunteer programs provide free or low-cost medical transportation services. One of these is the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program, which provides transportation for cancer patients to and from treatment.
Other options include the National Volunteer Transportation Center, which connects volunteers with patients in need of transportation, and the Life After Cancer Treatment program, which offers rides for pediatric cancer survivors to follow-up care appointments.
Final Thoughts
Ridesharing and carpooling programs have made huge strides in enhancing medical transportation for individuals who would otherwise struggle to access healthcare services. Each of the programs mentioned in this article has unique features and benefits that make them appealing to different audiences. People can now choose an option that suits their preference, convenience, and budget.
As we aspire to achieve universal healthcare access, it is clear that access to transportation is an essential aspect of the service. As such, healthcare providers, policymakers, and transportation providers must work together to ensure that people can access the medical services they need, regardless of their ability to pay or mode of transportation available to them.