Uber, HackensackUMC Team Up for Nation’s First Rideshare-Hospital Partnership

On Apr 7, 2016

At the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Boards for Hackensack University Health Network (HackensackUHN) and Hackensack University Medical Center (HackensackUMC), HackensackUMC and Uber New Jersey announced the formation of a first-of-its-kind partnership to provide access to convenient, reliable transportation for staff, patients, and visitors. This groundbreaking initiative will integrate Uber’s ridesharing services throughout the hospital experience.

HackensackUMC will assist in supporting the cost of Uber trips home from the medical center for those in need, and both Uber and HackensackUMC will implement features within their apps to facilitate seamless pick-ups and drop-offs.

“At HackensackUMC, we are committed to providing the best care to patients in the most convenient ways possible. We continuously assess our patients’ needs and try to respond by offering services and programs,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer, Hackensack University Health Network. “We are proud to partner with Uber for this one-of-a-kind service that will make healthcare more accessible to our patients, team members and visitors who cite transportation as an obstacle to care.”

On-demand rides through Uber will also improve efficiency, as discharging patients who lack a transportation alternative is often costly and time-intensive. In the coming weeks, Uber will activate a feature in its app that allows users to indicate specifically which pick-up zone they are located in when requesting a ride. Additionally, Uber ride reminders will be built into the HackensackUMC app and the hospital’s website will host a ride request landing page.

The new pick-up/drop-off areas at the hospital will be designated by co-branded signs, and HackensackUMC employees will be at these locations to help riders get in and out of their Ubers.

To encourage the use of Uber as a transportation alternative, HackensackUMC will launch an education campaign for its team members, patients and visitors. Informational brochures will be distributed throughout the campus and the HackensackUMC team will be trained to help riders request an Uber if they require assistance. First-time riders will be able to get a free first ride up to $20 using the promotion code HACKENSACKUMC.

“HackensackUMC is taking a bold step to ensure that everyone has a safe, reliable way to get home following their medical visit,” said Ana Mahony, General Manager for Uber New Jersey. “Across the state, community leaders and local governments are increasingly turning to Uber to help tackle their greatest transportation challenges, and we’re proud to offer innovative solutions.”

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