Uber Health has unveiled a new caregiving solution aimed at simplifying benefits and logistics for families. The announcement was made during the company’s annual product event held in New York City. The new offering, called Uber Caregiver, is set to launch this summer.
Uber Caregiver will enable individuals to add a caregiver to their Uber profile. This caregiver will have the ability to view and utilize the person’s health benefits on eligible services, arrange rides to medical appointments, and even order groceries. Real-time updates will be provided to the caregiver throughout the process, with a chat feature available for communication with the Uber driver.
Those interested in utilizing Uber Caregiver will need to access the service through the Uber app. Additionally, individuals can request a ride by calling 1-833-USE-UBER from a phone with texting capabilities, which also supports certain health benefits cards.
In the upcoming months, Uber Health plans to collaborate with Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial plans to make the solution available to a wider audience. With millions of Americans taking on caregiving responsibilities, the new offering aims to alleviate the emotional stress often associated with caregiving tasks.
Swathi Bhat, Uber Health’s lead product manager, highlighted the importance of empowering individuals, especially older adults, to take care of themselves with assistance. Uber Caregiver seeks to uncover benefits that may have previously gone unnoticed, providing a valuable resource for caregivers and recipients alike.
Healthcare providers already have access to the Uber Health dashboard for arranging patient transportation and delivery services. The platform also facilitates tracking billing statements, appointments, and generating scheduling reports. Looking ahead, Uber Health aims to consolidate various benefits for users, potentially including Medicare flex cards and travel benefits.
Furthermore, Uber Caregiver could enhance support for clinics by involving family caregivers and streamlining workflows, reducing reliance on call centers. By bringing caregivers closer to the family, the goal is to improve the overall caregiving experience.
Uber Health has established partnerships with numerous enterprise healthcare organizations, gaining insights into user demographics and needs. This knowledge is leveraged to enhance services and cater to the evolving demands of the caregiving landscape.