A new ridesharing program for eligible Veterans in need of transportation to medical appointments is producing big results for Pittsburgh VA. Surveys and data show VHA Uber Health Connect (VUHC) is reliable, cost effective and most importantly, popular with Veterans.

VUHC provides eligible Veterans with free Uber rides to and from medical appointments. Donald Koenig, Pittsburgh VA’s director, says the rideshare program helps to ensure Veterans do not miss important appointments. It also cuts back on no-shows and reduces wait times.

Pittsburgh VA launched the service in May to supplement its existing transportation program. To use the service, Veterans must be ambulatory, eligible for VA travel pay and have a common carrier beneficiary travel consult from their provider.

Ishmael Kwakwa, mobility manager, says VUHC ridership grew from 174 trips in the program’s first month to a total of 7,316 as of November. Since its start, the program has accounted for 24 percent of the 30,183 trips provided through the facility’s transportation service.

Kwakwa says cost savings are significant. A one-way trip from University Drive to the airport with its current contracted provider is $114 versus VUHC’s $42 to $56 (based on time of day).

Veterans pleased with the service

Members of Pittsburgh VA’s transportation team—pictured above—stand ready to assist Veterans who need rides to and from their medical appointments.

A survey sent to 300 VUHC riders indicates Veterans are pleased with the service. They were asked to rate their experiences in several areas, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest:

  • How would you rate Veterans Uber Health Connect meeting your transportation needs? 4.69
  • How would you rate the customer service? 4.74
  • How likely are you to recommend VUHC to a fellow Veteran? 4.83
  • How would you rate the process for requesting transportation via VAUHC? 4.66
  • How would you rate your overall experience using VUHC? 4.73

As more Veterans use VUHC, Pittsburgh VA has more of its own drivers available to provide transportation to Veterans who otherwise might not be eligible.

Topics in this story

Uber Health Connect program

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2 Comments

  1. Vet January 14, 2024 at 12:21

    where is this alleged study located?

  2. Elizabeth January 14, 2024 at 02:36

    Uber works but tge transportation staff in Martinez Ca Va clinic are not reliable like 3pm appt they call Uber and sent it at 2:55pm to pick you up then on the way home tge 3:pm appt moved to 4:pm and tge travel people did not send the going home Uber order. I was out there when they closed at 4:30pm my appt did not finished until 5:pm they neglect me tge transportation for travel and I m post stroke or. It’s rude awakening and it’s Thursday evening with drizzling weather

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