Lyft's health care ambitions

• Yes, Uber does this, too, and Uber similarly is expected to go public in the coming weeks.
• Yes, health care companies can pay for patients' rides under certain federal anti-kickback exceptions.

The bottom line: Patient transport is an extra side business for Lyft and Uber, and providers don't mind covering those ride-sharing costs if it means they can bill insurance for the patient visits that otherwise would have been missed.