Providers seek funding for transport
Pilot program offers rides for patients with varying needs.
Three months into a pilot program, Austin health care providers are looking for more funding to deliver patients to and from medical appointments with a local ride-share company.
Community Care Collaborative, Central Health’s nonprofit partnership with Seton Healthcare Family, has partnered with RideAustin to provide free transportation to and from appointments for patients who can’t afford or access traditional means of transportation.
Since the pilot program began in January, it has serviced more than 684 patients within Travis County, officials said Tuesday.
The program is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Transportation Empowerment Fund, allowing the collaborative to cover the cost of the rides for their patients. Twenty-five percent of the grant money has been spent, and is expected to run out in December, officials said.
The Transportation Empowerment Fund is supported by the Capital Metro Transportation Authority and other community donors and managed by the Austin Community Foundation.
While the pilot program will continue through the end of the year, officials from Central Health say it might develop a business plan to integrate the program into the established benefits for its Medical Access Program members.
Officials say there is no plans to partner with any other ride-share services.
Prior to the pilot program, Arthur Neville, 63, was forced to walk five to six miles to the bus stop that would take him to appointments. Neville said the program has done more than make it easier to receive treatment.
“This has just not saved me time, it’s saved my health, to tell you the truth,” Neville said. “It takes the pressure off of having to get to those appointments by relying on other people.”
To qualify for rides, a patient must be a Travis County resident, trips must be within Travis County and the patient has to receive health care through the Medical Access Program, in which most are 150 percent below the federal poverty level. Patients who qualify can use the program an unlimited amount of times for a variety of medical reasons, including standard checkups, treatment care and even to pick up medications.
Veronica Buitron-Camacho, the director of medical management at Community Care Collaborative, said the goal is to help patients stick to their medical regimens to create better health outcomes for them and their families.
“One of the biggest social barriers was transportation for the majority of our patients,” Buitron-Camacho said. “The clinics tend to have a very high percentage of no-show rates of patients not coming to their appointments. We hope this pilot will help reduce those rates.”
The program will not service patients under the age of 18 or parents who need to bring their children with them to appointments, due to liability concerns. The ride-share service can accommodate patients with foldable wheelchairs or walkers, but patients with electric wheelchairs will need to use the Metro Access bus system.
Most outreach to patients in need is spread by word of mouth from nurses and social workers. Program partners will contact Community Care Collaborative with a referral for patients who need rides, then the group coordinates with the patients to schedule appointments and rides with RideAustin.
Jose Gavino, a RideAustin driver since 2016, said he loves the opportunity to connect with patients to help brighten their day.
“You never know when it could happen to you,” Gavino said. “So, I feel blessed right now.”