ST. LOUIS (December 20, 2016)—Ascension has partnered with on-demand transportation company Lyft to make non-emergency transportation services available to patients facing transportation barriers. The agreement will provide an additional resource for Ascension’s most vulnerable patients by making available convenient and reliable transportation, furthering Ascension’s promise to deliver “Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind,” and its efforts to create an exceptional experience for those it serves at an affordable cost. Once the service is rolled out across the nation’s largest non-profit health system, Lyft drivers will be available for transportation to and from many of Ascension’s 2,500 sites of care, including 141 hospitals, in 24 states plus Washington, D.C.
“Many of the patients we serve across the country, especially those living in poverty and struggling the most, rely on public transportation, which can be inconvenient in terms of schedules and pickup and drop-off points,” said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension. “Some patients may need a ride just once or twice a year, but some individuals with chronic conditions have to travel frequently to one of our care sites. By partnering with Lyft, we can offer our patients a convenient, reliable and affordable form of transportation.” The service also will provide a way for Ascension to help patients who arrive at a hospital by ambulance and need a ride home when they are discharged.
“Working with Lyft allows Ascension to provide an additional level of service to our patients as we provide compassionate, personalized care with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable,” Dr. Tersigni said.
Through Ascension, Lyft will provide patients with direct transportation to a passenger’s destination and quick response times from drivers, with convenient and customer-friendly service.
“We worked closely with our care providers and operational leaders to find the right partner to provide non-emergency transportation services for those we serve,” said Michael Gray, Chief Operating Officer, The Resource Group, a subsidiary of Ascension. “We selected Lyft because it best meets our important requirements of convenience, customer support and service and market flexibility across many of the communities we are blessed to serve.”
“Lyft is excited to partner with Ascension to bring expanded transportation options to its patients in communities across the country,” said Gyre Renwick, head of enterprise health care partnerships, Lyft. “The Lyft experience aligns well with Ascension’s goal of meeting the particular needs of everyone as an individual and ensuring no one is left behind.”
Lyft plans to expand its service to more communities served by Ascension over the next several months.
Visit ascension.org for more information.
