Uber Health: Changing the No-Show Equation

Uber has created a service called Uber Health. It is a way for them to partner with healthcare organizations to provide reliable, comfortable transportation for patients.
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Jul 20, 2018 | Audit, Compliance, Governance, HIPAA, Risk

Dear Sir or Madam,

If I say the word, Uber, most people will tell you that this is a service, where car owners can use their car to transport people to their desired destination.  It is run through a very simple app that millions of people use daily.  That would be a correct answer, but since Uber first started back in 2009, it has become so much more.

If I say the word, Uber, most people will tell you that this is a service, where car owners can use their car to transport people to their desired destination.  It is run through a very simple app that millions of people use daily.  That would be a correct answer, but since Uber first started back in 2009, it has become so much more.

Why is this important to you?  We know from experience that every physician practice or healthcare organization suffers from ‘No-Shows’.  In fact, No-Show rates are as high as 30% nationwide. *  Medical groups will establish No-Show Policies to create a financial deterrent, but patients still keep missing their appointments.   Every year, 3.6 million Americans miss doctor appointments due to a lack of reliable transportation. **

Uber Health:  Changing the No-Show Equation

Recognizing this, Uber has created a service called Uber Health.  It is a way for them to partner with healthcare organizations to provide reliable, comfortable transportation for patients.  Developed with healthcare in mind, new features include:

  • Flexible ride scheduling for patients, caregivers, and staff. Coordinators can schedule rides on behalf of patients, caregivers and staff to take place immediately, within a few hours, or up to 30 days in advance. This allows for transportation to be scheduled for follow-up appointments while still at the healthcare facility. Multiple rides can be scheduled and managed at the same time, all from a single dashboard.
  • Access for patients without a smartphone. Riders don’t need the Uber app, or even a smartphone, to get a ride with Uber Health because it’s all done through text message. They are even going to be introducing the option for riders to receive a call with trip details to their mobile phone or landline instead. For many, their first ever Uber ride will be through Uber Health, so Uber is committed to providing the necessary education tools that ensure every patient feels comfortable and at ease during their journey.
  • Simple billing, reporting, and management. Organizations can easily keep track of what they’re spending on rides. Reporting on requested rides and viewing monthly billing statements, appointments, and scheduling reports is simple.
  • HIPAA Compliance. To ensure Uber Health meets HIPAA standards, they have been working hard to develop, implement, and customize numerous safeguards. They are thus pleased to sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with our healthcare partners.

Of course, we like this last one.  I would like to add that we have no affiliation with Uber Health.  We are just passing along information that might help your bottom line.

References:
*SCI Solutions, *Dear Sir or Madam,*Community Transportation Association