Ride-Hailing Services Step In to Fill Gap in Medical Transportation
Georgia ride-hail drivers are now serving as a critical part of the medical transportation system, providing rides to patients in need of medical care
When Lyft driver Tramaine Carr transports seniors and sick patients to hospitals in Atlanta, she feels like both a friend and a social worker.
"Even on long rides, people tend to open up to you," she said. "They tell you what’s going on. It’s not just a taxi ride."
Drivers like Carr have become a vital component of the medical transportation system in Georgia, as well as in other states such as Washington, D.C., Mississippi, and Arizona. While some patients use transportation companies dedicated to medical rides or non-emergency ambulance rides to reach their appointments, San Francisco-based ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft are also ferrying people to emergency rooms, kidney dialysis, cancer care, physical therapy, and other medical visits.
Rural Georgians Rely on Ride-Hailing Services
Rural hospital closures in Georgia have meant that people battling cancer and other serious illnesses must now commute two or more hours to treatment facilities in Atlanta, said Bryan Miller, director of psychosocial support services at the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, a medical practice offshoot that seeks to alleviate financial burdens for cancer patients and their families.
Data Reveals the Scale of the Problem
From April 2022 to April 2024, Lyft drivers completed thousands of rides that were greater than 50 miles each way and that began or ended at Atlanta-area medical treatment centers, including the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Emory University Hospital Midtown, according to Lyft. While 75% of those trips were under 100 miles, 21% were between 100 and 200 miles, and 4% were over 200, showing that even Georgians who live hours away from metro Atlanta rely on the ride-hail platform to reach medical care there.
Uber and Lyft’s Health Care Division
Uber Health global head Zachary Clark declined to provide comparable ridership data. Uber Health is a division of Uber that organizes medical transportation for some Medicaid and Medicare recipients, health care workers, prescription drug delivery, and others seeking reimbursement for medical-related Uber rides, according to Uber’s website. Lyft also has a health care division, offering programs such as Lyft Assisted and Lyft Concierge to coordinate rides for patients.
Insurance Companies and Public Programs Pay for Ride-Hailing Services
Nationwide, some insurance companies and cancer treatment centers, plus Medicare Advantage and state Medicaid plans, pay for such ride-hailing services, often with the goal of reducing missed appointments, said Krisda Chaiyachati, an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania medical school.
Challenges Remain
Even with some insurance covering trips or charities offering ride credits, social workers say that many ailing patients are still left without a ride. Nationwide, 21% of adults without access to a vehicle or public transit went without needed medical care in 2022, according to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. People who lacked access to a vehicle but had access to public transit were less likely to skip needed care.
Conclusion
Ride-hailing services are playing a crucial role in addressing the needs of patients in Georgia and beyond. As the demand for medical transportation continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of patients and ensure that they have access to reliable and affordable transportation options.
FAQs
Q: How do ride-hailing services benefit patients?
A: Ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, provide patients with a convenient and affordable way to access medical care, reducing the risk of missed appointments and improving health outcomes.
Q: Are ride-hailing services a suitable replacement for ambulance services?
A: No, ride-hailing services are not a substitute for ambulance services, which are designed for emergency medical situations. Ride-hailing services are better suited for non-emergency medical appointments and transportation needs.
Q: Do insurance companies and public programs pay for ride-hailing services?
A: Yes, some insurance companies and public programs, including Medicare Advantage and state Medicaid plans, pay for ride-hailing services, often with the goal of reducing missed appointments.
Q: What are the challenges associated with using ride-hailing services for medical transportation?
A: Some patients may experience challenges in accessing ride-hailing services, including limited availability, lack of insurance coverage, and difficulties navigating the logistics of transportation.
