Hospital leaders are already taking notice of one of healthcare's newest disruptors: Uber Eats.
The food delivery service said this month it is working with Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid to accept benefits and waiver payments for healthy food delivery. The new payment methods, which could include Medicare Flex and Flexible Spending Account cards, are expected to be ready in 2024.
Uber Eats said it will also start accepting food stamp benefits as payment next year to support people with disabilities or transportation challenges.
"It’s not just going to be the same old-same old," John Fernandez, president and CEO of Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan, said Sept. 27 at a Rhode Island economic conference reported on by the Boston Globe, referring to the competition with disruptors. "There's Amazon. Uber Eats is even trying to get into healthcare."
The company has also added delivery of over-the-counter medication through its HIPAA-enabled platform, the newspaper reported.
Uber Eats joins the latest rounds of entrants into healthcare, including Costco, which rolled out $29 virtual visits for members this month. Uber previously started offering rides to Medicare Advantage patients through its ride-share service.