All Detroit women who are pregnant, and anyone who takes care of an infant up to one year of age, can receive free transportation to and from prenatal doctor visits, plus one full year of postpartum visits and one year of pediatric visits for the baby, through a new program called “Rides to Care.” Mayor Mike Duggan and Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo announced the ambitious new program this past Monday following recent City Council approval.
The Rides to Care service is available Monday through Saturday to healthcare providers located within the city of Detroit and surrounding areas (up to five miles outside the city). The program removes a common barrier to expectant moms and their babies from receiving proper care: access to transportation.
“Every expectant mother and new mom in Detroit deserve the security of knowing they can get to their prenatal or postnatal appointments so their baby can have their best start in life,” said Mayor Duggan.
“With Rides to Care there is no reason to miss a vital medical appointment, because free roundtrip transportation to every doctor’s office visit is now an automatic benefit to them as a Detroiter.”
Rides to Care is available through the Detroit Health Department in partnership with Uber Health, a HIPAA-enabled platform that provides non-emergency medical transportation.
“Rides to Care increases access to care, with convenient reliable transportation for expectant mothers and caregivers of infants so they can focus on what matters most: staying healthy,” said Denise Fair Razo, Chief Public Health Officer.
Who is eligible for Rides to Care?
- Any expectant mother who is a Detroit resident
- Any mother/primary caregiver/guardian who is a resident of Detroit with an infant child
(up to 1 year of age) - Post-partum visits for a mother up to one year following birth
What types of health care visits qualify for free transportation?
- Prenatal:Healthcare appointments to help keep you and your baby healthy
during your pregnancy - Postpartum:Rides to healthcare appointments for up to one year following the
birth of your child - Newborn pediatric:Up to your baby’s first birthday to help your baby stay healthy
How do I book free roundtrip transportation to my doctor through Rides to Care?
- Call the Rides to Care call center at 313-876-0000
- Call Center hours are Monday-Friday from 8 AM-6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM-2 PM
- You will need to provide your name, contact information, home address and the address of your doctor to schedule
- Rides can be scheduled up to one hour before the appointment or a week in advance.
- Pick up times will be scheduled based on the time of your appointment. Be sure to schedule enough time to get there
- Rides will be available anytime during normal clinic hours
City Council in October approved a $650,000 contract with Uber Health to provide the transportation services for a period of one year. Ride to Cares will expand the transportation access already available on a more limited basis through the SisterFriends program, which covers only prenatal doctor’s visits and one post partem appointment.
Anastasia Lewis, a SisterFriends client who relied on rideshare service during her pregnancy, said, “It has helped me go to my appointments and it made sure I was on-time. Sometimes I get there early and when I am done early, I am able to go right home and not have to wait. I haven’t had to reschedule my appointments. Before I would have to cancel my appointments if I could not get a ride with family due to work schedules. I encourage any new mother or expectant mom in Detroit to take advantage of Ride to Care.”
Dr. Claudia Richardson, Medical Director for the Detroit Health Department, said: “Maintaining good health during pregnancy is the most precious gift anyone can give their unborn child. We know that this is especially critical during the first and second trimester, when the baby’s brain and nervous system are developing. I encourage all Detroit mothers-to-be to take care of themselves while pregnant to give their baby the best chance at good health from day one.”
For more information, call (313) 876-0000 or visit www.detroitmi.gov/RidesToCare
