Written by : Dr. Aishwarya Sarthe
January 19, 2025
This collaboration aims to reduce barriers to healthcare access and improve recovery outcomes by providing Uber vouchers for rides to medical appointments and rehabilitation services.
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has partnered with Uber Health to offer transportation assistance for members with approved long-term disability claims. This collaboration aims to reduce barriers to healthcare access and improve recovery outcomes by providing Uber vouchers for rides to medical appointments and rehabilitation services.
The program will be available to members with new long-term disability claims starting mid-January, with plans to gradually expand to include short-term disability claimants and caregivers. The initiative underscores Guardian's commitment to supporting its members' physical and mental well-being during recovery.
"When our members are dealing with an injury or illness that prevents them from working, their focus should be on getting well," said Michael Prestileo, Chief Commercial Officer for Guardian. "Guardian aims to help remove barriers to recovery. Recognizing a strong connection between mental wellness and physical health, our collaboration with Uber Health will help reduce stress and anxiety around transportation and accessing care and allow members to focus on what matters most: their well-being."
Zachary Clark, Global Head of Uber Health, highlighted the importance of accessible transportation for individuals with long-term disabilities.
"Millions of people with long-term disabilities require access to high-quality chronic care to speed up recovery and return to their normal routines. By working with Uber Health and providing members with an Uber voucher that can be used for transportation to essential care appointments, Guardian can maximize its benefit offerings to reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives," Clark stated.
This collaboration aligns with Uber Health's ongoing efforts to simplify healthcare access. Last year, Uber Health partnered with NationsBenefits to enable members to use their flex cards for Uber rides and grocery delivery on Uber Eats. The flex card integration allows users to manage expenses conveniently, merging health benefits and personal payments.
Uber Health also introduced "Uber Caregiver," a service enabling caregivers to manage transportation and delivery for care recipients. The feature offers real-time tracking and simplifies benefit management, ensuring seamless support for both caregivers and patients.
Clark also shared insights into AI's potential in healthcare, emphasizing its role in streamlining processes such as appointment scheduling and personalized treatment planning. These advancements are expected to make accessing healthcare more intuitive for patients.