Lyft and Uber can be very convenient for passengers who are looking for a one-time ride, going to the airport, or going out for drinks to avoid a DUI. As the ride-hailing companies get more popular, they are looking to expand into other services, including food delivery and even healthcare. 

Lyft has announced their services for rides in healthcare for doctors and hospitals to be a ride for patients to and from medical appointments. Lyft has partnered with a number of companies and healthcare providers, from AARP to CU Boulder, as a rideshare option. 

Lyft Healthcare in Colorado

Almost a quarter of Denver residents receive care at Denver Health. Lyft Concierge is used as a transportation option for Medicaid and Medicare patients to get to and from Denver Health appointments, as non-emergency medical transportation. According to Lyft, it has increased patient satisfaction, decreased wait times, and avoided lost revenue from missed appointments. 

Lyft has expanded its non-emergency medical transportation services to a number of other states, including for Medicaid patients in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Missouri. Uber Health offers a similar service for patients using the ride-hailing vehicles as an alternative transportation option. 

Lab Transit for CU Boulder

CU Boulder has a new biomedical research facility that is located a few miles from the main campus. There were limited transportation options for students, faculty, and researchers between the locations and Lyft stepped in as an alternative to public transportation, cycling, or driving. Lab users were given a Lyft credit to their personal accounts for up to $300 per month, assuming it would be used for transportation to and from the lab. 

Risks of an Injury for Rideshare Patients

Lyft and Uber provide an alternative option for patients who need non-emergency transportation to and from a doctor's visit. However, like any Uber or Lyft ride, there are other risks associated with getting a ride from these companies. Rideshare risks for passengers include: 

• Risk of a car accident,
• Risk of assault by the driver, or
• Risk of unapproved drivers using someone else's account.

Rideshare drivers, like other drivers, may be distracted by using the rideshare app, mapping the ride, or chatting with the passenger during the ride. Anything that takes the driver's attention away from the road can increase the risk of an accident. 

When a doctor's office offers a ride for patients without transportation, the patient may expect the driver has some sort of specialized training to handle rides for medical patients. However, Lyft drivers have very limited training or selection requirements to be able to drive for the company. Drivers may have very limited driving experience or be unfamiliar with Colorado traffic laws. In some cases, drivers with a criminal history or vehicle violations may be missed during Lyft's background checks. 

Help for Injury Victims in a Lyft Accident

Any motor vehicle ride carries the risk of an injury, including Lyft healthcare rides. If you were injured in a Lyft accident, as the driver, passenger, or as a pedestrian, consult with an experienced Denver rideshare accident attorney.  Contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.