Penn students look to build transportation network for hospital appointments

Kelly Gooch -

Imran Cronk, a graduate of Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania, along with a team of Penn students, is trying to help patients get rides to and from medical appointments, according to a New Castle News report.

The group sees a need for a transportation network in rural areas of Pennsylvania and intends to develop a business plan to address this need. The state has even gotten involved with this goal.

Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards told a state senate panel last month her department has spoken with ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft to see if they can help senior citizens get to medical appointments, according to the report.

Both ride-hailing companies confirmed the talks to the New Castle News but have declined to elaborate.

According to the report, Mr. Cronk and his team members are developing a way to coordinate billing to Medicaid and health plans that will cover the costs of the rides.

Mr. Cronk told the New Castle News his group is also looking for funding and health system partners so they can develop the necessary technology.

 

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