Uber Health will soon deliver provider-ordered OTC medications and groceries to patients
Uber Health is set to start providing its users with over-the-counter medication and grocery delivery as part of its growing portfolio of healthcare offerings.
The ride-share company has been offering nonemergency medical transportation to patients since 2018 and recently built upon its prescription services by adding same-day medication delivery in April. This latest move extends beyond prescriptions to provider-ordered OTC medications and groceries—a move intended to expand patients’ access to much needed care.
OTC medication delivery will be facilitated through Uber Eats and prompted by providers, according to an Uber release. Unlike Uber’s ride-share services that are app-based, Uber Health’s HIPAA-enabled platform is web-based and geared toward providers, care coordinators and payers to streamline the process of supplemental benefit coordination.
“Value-based care is the future of healthcare, but it’s complex and labor-intensive to deliver and scale. Uber Health addresses this challenge head-on,” said Caitlin Donovan, global head of Uber Health. “Our platform streamlines coordination across multiple benefits—nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT), prescription delivery, and food and over-the-counter medication delivery, empowering payers and providers to support patients beyond the four walls of a medical office.”
Donovan noted that the new grocery and OTC medication delivery offering also coincides with “food as medicine” programs that are growing in popularity. Through this offering, providers can customize orders that cater to patients’ specific health needs, such as dietary restrictions, vitamin deficiencies, etc.
"From prescription delivery and NEMT today to healthy food and grocery delivery in the coming months, Uber Health remains committed to delivering a more connected care journey through a single, seamless platform," Donovan said in a statement.
The new feature will be offered for the 2024 benefit year.
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.