Uber Health is partnering with Papa, an organization that provides older adults with companions and healthcare assistance, to transport older adults to medical appointments, errands and community events.
Five things to know:
- The partnership seeks to combat the health effects of social isolation on older adults, according to an Oct. 18 news release. Social isolation has mortality risks comparable to or greater than smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day, obesity, air pollution and physical inactivity, according to the release.
- Transportation is available anywhere that Papa and Uber are available. Older adults do not need a smartphone, credit card or Uber app to participate in the program.
- "Too often older adult populations are limited by barriers to care, whether it is due to transportation access or feelings of isolation from their communities and loved ones," said Caitlin Donovan, global head of Uber Health. "Uber Health is uniquely positioned to provide its logistics platform and technology to make requesting transportation or deliveries easier for Papa members and Papa Pals."
- Uber Health said Aug. 26 it will provide rides for Texas Medicaid participants to and from medical appointments through a new partnership. Under the deal, Uber Health will open access to its nonemergency medical transportation network services to Texas' nearly 4.4 million Medicaid enrollees.
- Uber's healthcare arm launched in 2018 and partners with more than 2,000 healthcare organizations, such as Cerner and Boston Medical Center, according to the release.