Lyft and LogistiCare, a non-emergency medical transportation manager, announced a three-year partnership to help private, government-assisted and elderly riders make it to their healthcare appointments and programs, especially those who need short-notice trips.

The companies will collaborate in 31 of LogistiCare's states and 276 cities, according to officials. LogistiCare manages more than 69 million non-emergency medical trips for about 27 million riders annually. The partnership will increase the company's reach, including commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plan members.

Further, the companies developed an integrated platform that uses LogistiCare's proprietary software and Lyft's API that will address rider needs, officials said. Eligible riders can request on-demand services provided by Lyft through LogistiCare's platform that provides a snapshot of the segmented population in real-time.

Through the partnership, the companies will work on technology to improve on-time and on-demand trips, real-time analytics, minimize cancellations and expand services nationwide. The system learns to improve performance and efficiency, while avoiding redundancies.
LogistiCare manages trips through a network of contracted transportation companies, mass transit partnerships, mileage reimbursement programs and independent driver networks. Officials said the Lyft collaboration will reach members based on program-specific and market requirements tailored to each rider.

"Having this additional flexible transportation option with Lyft is an effective, scalable way for us to ensure both improved cost effectiveness and on-demand service," LogistiCare CEO Albert Cortina said in a statement. "As the healthcare and social service industries continue to enhance their transportation benefit to encourage independent living and improve health outcomes, this ride-sharing solution can mirror what riders are already accessing for their own personal use."

"Transportation is a critical component of comprehensive access to healthcare and the issues surrounding it are complex," Lyft Co-Founder and President John Zimmer said in a statement. "We're working with LogistiCare to provide a powerful solution for this healthcare offering, which helps reduce isolation and empowers people with more reliable and affordable mobility."