Uber Health has partnered with UnitedHealth Group’s Optum medical services business to make it easier for seniors to pay for ancillary benefits like rideshares and product deliveries through the Uber app.
“You can add health plan benefit cards, including Health Spending Account (HSA) cards and Flexible Spending (FSA) cards, as a form of payment within the Uber app.” Optum and Uber said in a statement released on Sunday. During HLTH 2023 in Las Vegas. “This payment option can be used to cover eligible expenses such as health-related vehicles (such as non-emergency doctor visits), over-the-counter items, and health foods.”
UnitedHealth is one of the nation’s largest providers of privatized Medicare Advantage benefits for seniors, and the health insurer’s provider network includes thousands of Optum providers and payment services .
“Up until now, access to benefits has been full of guesswork,” said Caitlin Donovan, global head of Uber Health. “Consumers have had to spend significant time and effort understanding what is covered, where they can access it, and how best to cover their costs. Our new partnership with Optum , is designed to change all of that.”
This payment partnership comes on the heels of other benefits and services Uber Health added last year. Uber’s health business is already adding grocery and over-the-counter delivery as its customers, health insurance companies, cover more medical services and products to address social determinants of health. There is.
Especially during the pandemic, more Medicare Advantage plans have launched new services such as meal delivery to homebound seniors who are unable or unwilling to leave their homes for health care products or meals. Most health insurance companies continue to offer these services because they see value to their customers, and in recent years, most health benefit plans have added It incorporates ride sharing.
“A new, easy way to pay for items within the app combines the breadth and flexibility of Optum’s leading healthcare payment platform with Uber’s national transportation and grocery and retail distribution networks. It will be offered as part of some Medicare Advantage plan benefits through 2024,” Uber and Optum said.
Initially, the relationship will focus on Medicare Advantage customers who will have access to the new payment system in 2024. “Over time, we expect to expand coverage to include people receiving Medicaid and commercial health benefits,” Uber said in a statement.
“This is the first time a Medicare Advantage benefits card has been fully integrated with a technology company that offers a combination of rides, groceries and over-the-counter products,” Donovan said. “Combining Optum’s seamless payment methods with Uber Health’s extensive on-demand mobility, grocery store and retail network optimizes the impact of large-scale supplemental benefits, improves the consumer experience and improves the bottom line. may lead to better health outcomes.”
follow me twitter or linkedin. check out my website and other works here.
