In 2023, Humana will begin offering a new transportation benefit in select Medicare Advantage plans for people with chronic conditions like end-stage renal disease who may need to travel to kidney dialysis clinics. The plan will allow enrollees to secure a ride, at no additional cost, by calling a 24/7 reservation line. Depending on their specific Medicare Advantage plan, members will be able to reserve transportation by car, van or wheelchair-accessible vehicle up to 25 miles each way to approved destinations. This could include medical and dental appointments as well as SilverSneakers-affiliated fitness centers.

The new transportation benefit is part of the company’s “Humana Cares” strategy, which aims to empower customers and communities to take control of their health and well-being. The insurer has already launched a number of initiatives to help seniors and their caregivers manage their healthcare, including introducing new CenterWell locations and bringing on board a network of new providers. In addition, the company has expanded its partnership with UCSF to deepen research and innovation in nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) access.

NEMT is one of the most common barriers to accessing healthcare services, with an annual price tag of $150 billion or more in missed doctor visits and delayed treatment due to a lack of transportation. In an effort to address this issue, rideshare service Lyft is leveraging its on-demand platform to offer NEMT through partner companies like Circulation and RoundTrip. Additionally, Lyft is collaborating with a variety of Medicare Advantage plan partners (including Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Humana through LogistiCare) to provide on-demand rides for eligible customers.