Independence on demand: seniors are using their health benefits card for grocery deliveries and transportation

Convenient access to on-demand services with Uber

For a lot of older adults, getting to the grocery store, and getting to and from medical appointments isn’t as simple as it sounds. Many no longer drive, and public transportation can be challenging or inconvenient. Even if they have someone who can take them, asking for help too often can feel uncomfortable. But thanks to a recent update in the Uber app, Medicare Advantage members with an eligible benefits card can now order groceries online and request rides to care appointments—and pay for these services using their pre-funded benefits card.

We spoke with 3 seniors in Florida and Colorado who use the Uber app to find rides and order groceries online. For them, it’s about much more than just getting from point A to point B.

Riding with confidence and control

“I don’t have to always ask Michael, my husband, for a ride now,” says Lynn Fitzgerald. After a stroke, she isn’t driving anymore and often needs help getting to her doctor and therapy appointments. “I didn’t know it was available to use Uber to get to the doctor until the receptionist asked me if I needed a ride,” Fitzgerald says. “An Uber ride gives me an opportunity to have some time to myself, which I value.”

Simple, reliable ways to stay mobile and connected

Uber has 2 new ways to empower seniors to use Uber for rides and grocery deliveries:

• Senior accounts are part of Uber’s Family profiles feature, allowing loved ones and caregivers to help set up an account and offer support when needed.

  
  

• For seniors who prefer to manage their rides and online orders independently, Uber also offers Simple mode, an app experience with larger text, fewer buttons, and easy-to-follow screens. And with Uber’s Saved Places feature, seniors using Simple mode can store frequently used locations, like home or the doctor’s office, for quick access.

Combined with benefits cards, these tools are making Uber even more accessible and affordable for seniors.

A familiar app that just works

Adding a benefits card to the Uber app is simple, and, for many, surprisingly so. Users open the app, go to Account, then Wallet, and select Add payment method. From there, they enter their benefits card details just like they do with a credit card. After the card is added, it can be applied to eligible purchases, meaning users’ Medicare Advantage benefits provider will directly cover the cost of the ride or grocery delivery.* That seamless setup makes it easy for users to take advantage of a benefit they’re already entitled to without needing to submit receipts or navigate complex reimbursement processes.

More freedom, less dependence

Even if seniors don’t have their own Uber app, they can still schedule rides with Uber to get them to the doctor or other important appointments. Like many seniors, Lucy Otero is proud of her independence. This opportunity lets her make her own plans without asking others for assistance. “I schedule Uber on many occasions because we have one car in this house. I give my son priority to the car because he works. And so, if I have a doctor appointment, dental, anything medical, I call a number my health insurance gave me and schedule an Uber ride,” she says. “Uber represents an opportunity to get out and do the things I want to do. It represents freedom.”

Groceries delivered to the doorstep

In addition to rides to care, many Medicare Advantage members can use their benefits card and the Uber app for other essential services, like grocery delivery. For older adults with mobility challenges or limited transportation options, this added flexibility can make a meaningful difference. But even if mobility isn’t a challenge, many seniors find ordering groceries online with Uber more convenient. “I’ll sometimes order fresh groceries from Uber Eats instead of trying to get to the store,” says Janet Johnston. “It saves us time, and we don’t have to pay for gas. Everything is fresh; even the milk is freezing cold. I don't know how they do that.”

Are you ready to get started?

If you’re a Medicare Advantage member, check your plan to find out whether transportation benefits are included. If so, open your Uber app and go to Account, then Wallet, and add your health benefits card as a payment method. You’ll be able to request rides to care appointments and pay for them with your benefits card. Get started here.

If you’re a benefits manager or broker, consider adding Uber Health to your supplemental benefits offering. It helps members access the care they need, when they need it, through a service they already use and trust.