Blue Cross Blue Shield will offer customers free Lyft rides

[underpants]

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/10/technology/lyft-rides-blue-cross-blue-shield/

Blue Cross Blue Shield wants you to make it to your doctor's appointments -- so much that it's willing to pay for your Lyft.

The health care provider announced Wednesday that it will offer free Lyft rides to its plan holders who lack reliable transportation. They intend to roll the program out across the U.S. in both metropolitan and rural markets starting in August or September.

The health care provider announced Wednesday that it will offer free Lyft rides to its plan holders who lack reliable transportation. They intend to roll the program out across the U.S. in both metropolitan and rural markets starting in August or September.

The program will initially be available only to patients who have a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan through their employer. But it could be expanded to include those who obtain plans through Medicare Advantage or the Affordable Care Act, BCBS said.

[gratuitous]

1. That should work out just fine

I wonder when the first lawsuit will hit for the driver who refuses to transport a wheelchair patient? Or who beats the tar out of his rider for smelling funny or throwing up in his car?

I hope someone at loss prevention or risk management talks some sense into the numbskulls who announced this plan before it starts in the next three or four months.

[haele]

5. It's actually a good idea if BCBS and Lyft are in agreement on turning this into a planned service.

BCBS already pays out the nose for ambulance rides or taxis when patients don't have transportation. This will probably save a lot of money. And as a cost-saving measure, I prefer Lyft, because it seems their drivers are happier than Uber drivers, and there seems to be a larger "selection" range you can make that facilitates matching the passenger's needs with the driver's capability to transport.
Last year I had to order several Lyft rides for my 6'2, 345 lb. spouse when he was stuck unable to drive and using a walker for a couple months due to dizzy spells; the drivers never had problems accommodating him - including storing his large walker in their trunks and helping him in and out of the vehicle.
I just made sure I selected a larger (3-4 passenger) vehicle and added "large passenger needs walker and assistance to get in and out of car" to the order every time.

As a side, I know Uber is piloting a program where you can select a driver with one forward-facing car seat available if you're caught short with your kid in tow in a few select cities. And transporting small children in an unfamiliar vehicle is always a recipe for disaster; every new vehicle I've had has been baptized by one or both of my grandkids within a month. I'm pretty sure Lyft will be on that soon enough if it looks like it will be a good money-making option.

So, if BCBS will work with Lyft to add categories where someone with a medical concern, such as a walker or a wheelchair, or a requirement for driver's assistance, this should work out great for anyone who doesn't need an ambulance to be transported.

It's not as great as having a family member or friend able to schlep you around for your appointments, but it's better than having to waste an entire day with public transportation options (if you have them), or spend craploads of money on a taxi (that still may not be very accommodating) or an ambulance to get around.

Haele

[gratuitous]

7. As a public accommodation, taxis MUST transport

Uber and Lyft, not so much. Taxis are also required to be either self-insured by their company, or to carry sufficient insurance required by the locality they serve. Uber and Lyft, not so much. Drivers may also find out that their standard auto insurance policy doesn't cover collisions that happen while they're operating as a for-hire service. Their passengers can spend a lot of time and money fruitlessly chasing the driver, his insurance company, and Uber or Lyft, trying to find someone who will cover a catastrophic injury or a wrongful death.

Let the rider beware.

[SunSeeker]

2. K & R

[sheshe2]

3. Cool!

[crazycatlady]

4. I think Lyft (and Uber) are missing a major market

Their existence and whether they follow the law is another thread. BUt they're missing a major market-- instead of marketing to partying millennials, they should market to their grandparents. Especially seniors who give up driving.

[underpants]

6. It's huge in the disability community

A life changer actually