Through a partnership with Uber Health, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) addresses veterans' transportation issues by offering ride bookings to medical appointments, leading to $196.7 million in savings and high satisfaction rates among users.
Key Findings:
Cost Savings: VHA reports $196.7 million in savings by reducing missed appointments.
Reach and Use: Since 2022, VHA-Uber Health Connect has provided over 263,000 rides covering 4 million miles.
Veteran Satisfaction: 89% of veterans report satisfaction, with 90% recommending the service.
Program Expansion: Nearly 100 VA centers are currently enrolled, with plans to expand to all facilities.
How It Works: Through the VHA-Uber Health Connect program, VA medical center staff can book Uber rides for veterans via the VA’s health platform. This system provides veterans with tracking information and real-time notifications about their rides, creating a streamlined experience that helps them arrive for their healthcare appointments.
Why This Matters: For veterans, missing medical appointments due to transportation barriers affects both healthcare outcomes and costs. By ensuring reliable transportation, this initiative directly improves veterans' access to timely care while reducing operational costs and appointment no-shows.
Beyond the Headline: The VHA-Uber Health Connect program doesn’t just cut costs; it improves healthcare access and engagement. Veteran feedback reveals the program’s value in easing the logistics of attending appointments, which are crucial for continuity of care and management of chronic conditions.
Big Picture: This collaboration between the VA and Uber Health exemplifies how technology partnerships in healthcare can resolve longstanding logistical challenges, potentially setting a precedent for similar alliances in other healthcare sectors to address social determinants of health, like transportation.