Mobility Is Medicine – Tennessee
Five-county West Tennessee region | Coming Soon
Helping rural Tennessee residents get to care—and the support that makes health possible.
About the program
Mobility Is Medicine is a planned, technology-enabled access-to-care network for residents of Haywood, Tipton, Hardeman, Lauderdale and Crockett Counties in West Tennessee. Led by Catch a Ride Network and local healthcare and community partners, the initiative is designed to connect transportation screening, referrals, trip coordination, health-benefit navigation and community transportation into a simpler path to care. The program is in contracting and implementation preparation; rider enrollment and eligible transportation will begin when launch arrangements are approved.
Who can ride
The planned program prioritizes eligible residents of Haywood, Tipton, Hardeman, Lauderdale and Crockett Counties who face barriers to healthcare or other approved health-supporting destinations. Priority populations include low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents; TennCare members; pregnant and postpartum people; children and caregivers; older adults; people with disabilities or chronic conditions; people seeking behavioral-health or recovery care; and residents without dependable transportation. Final eligibility, referral requirements and service availability will be determined through approved program rules and partners.
Where rides can go
Pending final program approval, eligible trips may include primary and specialty medical care; prenatal, postpartum, pediatric and infant appointments; immunizations; behavioral-health and substance-use treatment; pharmacy and medication access; diagnostics and laboratory visits; therapy, rehabilitation and post-discharge follow-up; nutrition services; and other approved destinations that support health and care continuity. Cross-county trips may be arranged when the needed care is not available locally, subject to program rules.
Program goals
Develop a coordinated five-county transportation network; make it easier for clinical and community partners to identify transportation barriers and request rides; use Transportation Prescriptions, Mobility Wallets and direct booking when appropriate; coordinate local transportation, accessible providers and approved volunteers; improve referral completion and trip reliability; track transportation needs and outcomes; and reduce avoidable missed or delayed care.
Partners
Catch a Ride Network, a program of Feonix – Mobility Rising; Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital; Hardeman County Community Health Center; Haywood County Community Hospital; West Tennessee Healthcare; Mid-South Food Bank; and United Way of West Tennessee. Partner roles and referral pathways will be confirmed during implementation.
Funders
The initiative was selected under a State of Tennessee rural-health access-to-care funding opportunity. The final contract, budget and permitted service activities remain subject to state approval; transportation assistance should not be represented as available until launch.
Volunteer drivers wanted
Give someone a better way to reach care.
The proposed service includes a Friends, Family & Community Volunteer transportation pathway to help reach communities where other transportation is limited. Approved drivers may assist with eligible rides and may qualify for mileage reimbursement under the final program rules. Volunteer recruitment, screening, training and approved trip assignments will be confirmed before service begins.
How to get a ride
Mobility Is Medicine – Tennessee is preparing for implementation. Public ride requests and referrals are not yet being accepted through this program. Catch a Ride will work with participating healthcare and community organizations to establish eligibility screening, approved referrals, ride coordination and rider support. Visit https://www.catcharide.org/ to learn more and watch for launch information.
Questions
Which counties will this program serve?
The planned initial service area is Haywood, Tipton, Hardeman, Lauderdale and Crockett Counties in West Tennessee.
Is the program accepting riders today?
Not yet. The project is in final contracting and implementation preparation. Transportation availability will be announced after launch requirements are completed.
What types of trips are planned?
The initiative focuses on healthcare and approved health-supporting services, including maternal and child health, behavioral health, pharmacy and specialty care.
Will participants have to use an app?
No. The planned model includes help from healthcare and community referral partners and transportation support staff for people who prefer or need assistance.
Will existing Medicaid transportation benefits still apply?
Yes. The approach is to identify available transportation benefits first and coordinate additional approved options for gaps rather than duplicate existing coverage.
Can I volunteer?
Volunteer opportunities are part of the proposed model. Visit catcharide.org/volunteer for information while program-specific arrangements are finalized.
Service area
Partners & sponsors
