Remove Transportation as a Barrier to Health
Reliable access to medical care is fundamental to public health. Yet, for millions of Americans, something as basic as transportation can be a significant barrier to accessing the care they need. People who struggle with transportation are more likely to miss or delay appointments, have trouble sticking to their medication schedules, and skip preventive care. These gaps lead to poorer health outcomes for patients and create significant problems for healthcare systems, such as higher no-show rates and disrupted continuity of care. Implementing transportation solutions isn't just about making things easier; it's a vital step that strengthens the entire healthcare journey.
To Get Started:
Screen for Transportation Barriers: Incorporate a screening tool into patient appointments to identify transportation struggles.
Build Partnerships: Collaborate with transportation entities to provide rides for patients to and from health check-ups.
Provide Shuttle Services: Establish shuttle or bus services for low-income individuals with mobility issues to access healthcare appointments.
Examples of Best Practices / Innovative Programs:
The Denver Health and Lyft partnership created a platform allowing the hospital to order rides for patients who need transportation. The service is available for recently discharged patients and those traveling to and from outpatient clinical appointments. This model demonstrates how technology can be utilized to efficiently coordinate rides and ensure that patients receive the care they need without delay.
Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) provides non-emergency transportation to medical appointments and pharmacies at no cost to eligible members. This comprehensive program removes financial barriers and provides a dependable transportation solution, demonstrating a deep commitment to patient well-being beyond the clinic walls.
The Missouri Rural Health Association’s HealthTran program partners with local healthcare providers to provide reliable transportation services for patients. Providers using this model have seen real results: better access to care, improved care continuity, and a positive impact on ROI. HealthTran proves that provider-led transportation solutions can play a key role in bridging healthcare access gaps.
Indiana University Health LifeLine is Indiana’s oldest and most comprehensive medical transport program. LifeLine provides high-quality patient transport, including critical care and non-emergency services, directly supporting timely and effective health interventions for those with urgent and ongoing health needs. This program illustrates how direct provider involvement strengthens patient outcomes and system reliability.
