Vanjhcs offers new transportation program for medical care to local veterans | va new jersey health care | veterans affairs

East Orange , NJ — Veterans are now able to participate in VA Uber Health Connect — an initiative which provides supplemental transportation to eligible Veterans needing access to and from

medical care. Based on survey feedback from 2,300 Veterans between March 2022 to January 2023, 83% of Veterans stated they would not have been able to access their medical care without the

program. "The VA Uber Health Connect Initiative bridges the transportation gap by ensuring Veterans have reliable transportation for their health care needs,” said National Lead of VA

Uber Health Connect Indra Sandal, Ph.D. “By offering ridesharing as an additional means of transportation, VA is helping Veterans receive access to the best and soonest possible care — while

still achieving cost savings.” The VA Uber Health Connect Initiative launched as pilot program in 2022 at ten VA Medical Centers. From January 2022 to March 2023, VA Uber Health Connect

completed more than 30,000 Uber rides across 408,529 miles for Veterans. These rides have increased access, improved clinical engagement and saved VA an estimated $35 million. The cost

savings are in part from faster emergency department and inpatient discharges as well as closing the gap on an estimated 28,000 missed appointments. This year, the program is expanding to

nine new Veteran Integrated Service Networks and 60 VAMCs. According to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million people in the United States do not obtain medical care due to

transportation challenges. Children, older adults and Veterans are especially vulnerable to transportation barriers due to social isolation, underlying medical conditions and have a greater

need for frequent clinician visits. “This is a life-altering program the offers our most vulnerable Veterans care — the moment they need it,” said Fred Fenner. “It also advances our ability

to offer more accessible, equitable health care to our local Veteran community.” Veterans or transportation teams interested in learning more about the program should contact their local

facility. For VANJHCS contact Fred Fenner at [email protected]