Buck Poropatich, Head of Lyft Healthcare, on removing transportation as a barrier to improve access to healthcare

The Pulse by Wharton Digital Health

In this episode, I sat down with Buck Poropatich, Head of Lyft Healthcare. Lyft Healthcare launched in 2016 as part of Lyft's broader efforts to address transportation barriers in healthcare. Today, Lyft Healthcare partners with 9 of the 10 largest US health systems, non-emergency medical transportation brokers, and the top 10 payers to provide rides across the patient journey.

By providing reliable transportation through its extensive network, Lyft Healthcare helps reduce patient no-shows, enhance the member experience, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Since he joined in 2019, Buck has helped secure key partnerships with industry leaders like ChenMed, CVS, and Kroger Health, alongside countless others.

Buck and I discussed:

• Lyft Healthcare’s founding story after the company discovered a hidden product-market fit in the healthcare industry.
• Creative partnerships with companies like Best Buy Health and Instacart Health that have enhanced Lyft Healthcare's services and expanded their reach in the healthcare space.
• Lyft Healthcare’s alignment with the shift towards value-based care, as transportation plays a strategic role in improving care adherence, member satisfaction, and managing total cost of care.
• Future expansion plans for Lyft Healthcare include expanding their Medicaid footprint, extending their Lyft Assisted product, and leveraging mobile app technology and data modeling to improve the member experience.