COLUMBIA, MD--(Marketwired - Jan 8, 2016) - MedStar Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region, and Uber, a technology company that is evolving the way people move, today announced a collaboration to give patients a new option for ensuring they can get to and from healthcare appointments. Patients who miss appointments or have to reschedule at the last minute frequently cite transportation as a factor.
Through this relationship, a "Ride with Uber" button is now prominently displayed on MedStarHealth.org. MedStar patients will be able to quickly find out the wait time and approximate cost of a ride and then request one. They also will be able to set a ride reminder to automatically notify them an hour before their appointment and keep them on schedule.
"Patients expect the same level of seamless integration in health care as they do in other aspects of their everyday life. MedStar is focused on becoming a premier digital healthcare organization. Our partnership with Uber is but one small step toward a future where technology-enabled patient engagement rivals other industries that have been disrupted by digital technology," said Michael Ruiz, MedStar vice president and chief digital officer.
Uber is available throughout the MedStar service area, which extends from north of Baltimore to Washington, D.C., northern Virginia and southern Maryland. This collaboration offers patients another convenient way to move from home or office to any one of MedStar's 10 hospitals or hundreds of outpatient locations and urgent cares, all with the touch of a button.
As one of Uber's most mature markets around the globe, Washington has always been on the forefront of adopting innovations and embracing technology to help improve communities and the lives of its residents.
"Uber is a reliable option -- day or night -- regardless of where you need to go in the DMV," said Zuhairah Washington, general manager of Uber DC. "Our collaboration with MedStar can help patients better plan their transportation to and from appointments, and ensure they never miss an appointment because they don't have a ride."
The collaboration with Uber is the latest way MedStar is making access to care easier. Over the past seven years, MedStar has increased its number of care access points from 95 in 2007 to 253 in 2014, not counting its 10 hospitals, and is on track to open six new outpatient centers in 2016. In addition to bricks-and-mortar sites, MedStar also has made a significant commitment to using digital technology to help consumers find physicians and schedule appointments online.
About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is a not-for-profit health system dedicated to caring for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research. MedStar's 30,000 associates, 6,000 affiliated physicians, 10 hospitals, ambulatory care and urgent care centers, and the MedStar Health Research Institute are recognized regionally and nationally for excellence in medical care. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University, MedStar trains more than 1,100 medical residents annually. MedStar Health's patient-first philosophy combines care, compassion and clinical excellence with an emphasis on customer service. For more information, visit MedStarHealth.org.
About Uber
Uber is a technology platform that is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers. From our founding in 2009 to our launches in over 300 cities today, Uber's rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer. Follow us on Twitter: @Uber and find us on Facebook: Uber
Documents and/or Photos available for this release:
MedStar-Uber Announce Collaboration
To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 394667
Contact Information:
Contact:
Ann C. Nickels
AVP, PR and Comms
MedStar Health
Phone: 410-772-6661
E-Mail: ann.c.nickels@medstar.net