What Uber Health is and who can use it
Uber Health is a service that lets patients book rides to medical appointments through the Uber app, with the ride paid for by a healthcare provider, insurance plan, or social service organization rather than by the patient. You do not pay out of pocket. The service is available in select cities across the United States, and coverage depends on whether your doctor's office, hospital, insurance plan, or local health program has partnered with Uber Health.
The rides are non-emergency only — Uber Health is not for 911 situations or urgent care that needs an ambulance. It covers trips to and from scheduled medical visits: doctor appointments, dialysis, physical therapy, lab work, pharmacy pickups, and similar routine care. The service works through a web portal that healthcare providers and social workers use to book rides on behalf of patients, not through the regular Uber app.
You may be able to use Uber Health if your healthcare provider, insurance company, or a local program you are enrolled in has set up an account with Uber. Not all providers or insurers offer it yet. The best way to find out is to ask your doctor's office, call your insurance company's member services line, or contact your local health department or social services agency.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Health rides are booked by your healthcare provider or social worker through a special portal, not by you through the regular Uber app.
- Your doctor's office, hospital, insurance plan, or local program pays for the ride — you do not pay anything out of pocket.
- The service covers non-emergency trips to medical appointments, dialysis, therapy, lab work, and pharmacy visits in cities where Uber Health operates.
- Availability varies by location and by which providers and insurers in your area have partnered with Uber Health.
- You will need to provide your address and the appointment location when your provider books the ride, and you should be ready to travel at the scheduled pickup time.
How your provider books an Uber Health ride for you
Your healthcare provider, hospital, or social worker logs into the Uber Health portal using credentials their organization set up with Uber. They enter your pickup address, the destination (usually the medical facility), and the appointment time. Uber Health then shows available drivers and estimated pickup times, similar to how the regular Uber app works.
Once the ride is booked, you will receive a notification — usually by text message, email, or through a patient portal — with the driver's name, vehicle details, and pickup time. You do not need to do anything in the Uber app yourself. The provider's organization is billed directly by Uber, so there is no charge to you.
Some healthcare organizations use Uber Health for routine appointment reminders and transportation together. If your provider offers it, they may ask you during check-in or in advance whether you need a ride. Others only book rides when a patient specifically asks or when transportation barriers are identified during a social work assessment.
What information you need to provide
When your provider books an Uber Health ride, they will need your pickup address and the destination address. Make sure the address you give is accurate and specific — include apartment or suite numbers if applicable. If you are being picked up from home, confirm that the address matches where you actually live.
You should also let your provider know if there are any access issues at your pickup location, such as a locked building entrance or a gate that requires a code. Tell the driver these details when they arrive, or provide them to your provider in advance so they can note them in the booking.
If your appointment time changes or you need to cancel the ride, contact your provider or the organization that booked it as soon as possible. Do not cancel through the Uber app, because the ride was not booked there.
What happens on the day of your ride
On the day of your appointment, watch for the notification with your driver's details. The driver will arrive at your pickup address at the scheduled time. Be ready to go a few minutes early, just as you would for any ride. If the driver is running late, the notification will usually update with a new estimated arrival time.
When the driver arrives, confirm their name and vehicle details match what you were told. Get in and provide any access information you did not share in advance (such as a gate code). The driver will take you to the medical facility. You do not need to pay — the ride is already paid for through your provider's account.
After your appointment, your provider or the medical facility may book a return ride home for you. If they do, you will receive another notification with pickup details. If you need a ride home and one was not arranged, ask the front desk or your provider's office to book one before you leave.
Limitations and what Uber Health does not cover
Uber Health is only available in certain cities. The list of cities changes as Uber expands the service and as more healthcare organizations sign up. You can ask your provider whether Uber Health operates in your area, or you can contact Uber directly to see if your city is included.
The service does not cover emergency situations. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — do not wait for an Uber Health ride. Uber Health is for scheduled, non-urgent appointments only.
Uber Health also does not cover rides for personal errands, social visits, or non-medical travel. It is limited to trips related to healthcare appointments and services. Some programs may cover pharmacy pickups if they are part of your treatment plan, but this depends on how your provider's organization has set up their account.
How to learn about your provider offers Uber Health
The simplest way is to ask directly. Call your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic and ask whether they use Uber Health for patient transportation. If they do, ask how to request a ride — whether you need to ask at each appointment or whether they offer it automatically to patients who need it.
If you have insurance, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask whether your plan covers Uber Health rides. Some insurers offer it as a benefit to all members in participating cities; others only offer it through certain provider networks.
If you receive services from a local health department, community health center, or social services agency, ask them whether they have partnered with Uber Health. Many programs use it to reduce transportation barriers for patients with chronic conditions or limited mobility.
What to do if you have a problem with your ride
If your driver does not show up, contact your provider's office or the organization that booked the ride when ready. They can check the status of the booking and either rebook you or help you arrange alternative transportation. Do not try to cancel or rebook through the Uber app, because your provider booked it through a different system.
If you had a problem during the ride — such as a safety concern, a rude driver, or being taken to the wrong location — report it to your provider's office. They can file a report with Uber Health on your behalf. Keep notes of what happened, including the date, time, driver name, and what went wrong.
If you were charged money for an Uber Health ride, that is not normal. Report it to your provider when ready, as there may be a billing error. Uber Health rides should always be free to the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Uber Health if my provider offers it?
No. If your provider books a ride for you and you prefer to arrange your own transportation, you can decline. However, if transportation is a barrier to getting your medical care, using Uber Health can remove that obstacle at no cost to you.
Can I bring a family member or caregiver with me in an Uber Health ride?
This depends on how your provider's organization has set up their account with Uber Health. Some allow additional passengers; others do not. Ask your provider when they book your ride, or ask in advance so they can note any special requests.
What if I need a ride at a time when Uber drivers are not available in my area?
Uber Health availability depends on regular Uber driver availability in your city. If there are no drivers available at your appointment time, your provider may need to rebook for a different time or arrange alternative transportation. Let your provider know as soon as possible if this happens.
Will using Uber Health affect my insurance coverage or benefits?
No. Uber Health is a transportation service paid for by your provider, insurer, or program — it does not change your medical coverage or benefits. Using it does not count against any limits or affect your may be able to access for other services.
What if I live in a rural area where Uber does not operate?
Uber Health is only available in cities where Uber has drivers. If you live in a rural area, ask your provider about other transportation options, such as medical transport services, volunteer driver programs, or public transit information through your local health department or aging services agency.