Uber Health and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum health services are collaborating to simplify the payment process for ancillary benefits, such as ride-sharing and product delivery, for seniors using the Uber app. Here are the key details:
- Payment Integration: Health plan benefit cards, including Health Spending Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending (FSA) cards, can now be added as a payment method within the Uber app. This allows users to cover eligible expenses, such as health-related rides and over-the-counter items.
- Scope of the Partnership: UnitedHealth, one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage benefits, has networks that include thousands of Optum medical care providers and payment services. This partnership aims to make accessing these benefits more straightforward.
- Uber’s Expansion: The collaboration follows Uber Health’s addition of grocery and over-the-counter product delivery services. During the pandemic, many Medicare Advantage plans began offering services like meal deliveries for seniors, and most health insurers have continued these services.
- New Payment System: The partnership will introduce a new way to pay for items within the app, combining Optum’s health payment platform with Uber’s transportation and merchant network. This feature will be part of select Medicare Advantage plan benefits for 2024.
- Future Plans: Initially, the focus will be on Medicare Advantage customers, with the new payment system launching in 2024. Over time, the service is expected to expand to include Medicaid and commercial health beneficiaries.
- Significance: This collaboration marks the first time a Medicare Advantage benefit card has been fully integrated with a tech company offering rides, groceries, and over-the-counter goods. The combination of Optum’s payment methods with Uber Health’s networks aims to enhance the impact of supplemental benefits, improve user experiences, and potentially lead to better health outcomes.
In summary, the partnership between Uber Health and Optum seeks to optimize the way seniors access and pay for their health-related benefits, aiming for convenience and improved health outcomes.