MyAppointmentPal Expands to Five New Florida Markets
Following demand in Orlando, the non-medical companion ride service expands to Jacksonville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota.
MyAppointmentPal, a Florida companion ride service that gets patients to and from their medical appointments, is expanding into Jacksonville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota. The move follows the company’s work in Orlando, where patients, families and medical offices have come to rely on MyAppointmentPal when no one else is available to drive.
Many outpatient procedures require a responsible adult to escort the patient home. These can include colonoscopies and endoscopies, eye surgeries such as cataract surgery and LASIK, fertility procedures, and other treatments involving sedation or anesthesia. Requirements vary by procedure and facility, so patients should confirm that their medical office accepts the arranged companion and what support they will need after discharge.
When a patient doesn’t have that person, the procedure may need to be postponed. That creates difficulties for both the patient and the practice. MyAppointmentPal helps fill that gap. With its Full Companion service, companions pick patients up, remain at the facility during the appointment, receive discharge instructions with the patient’s authorization and accompany them home. A separate Discharge Ride option provides pickup after the appointment and transportation home.
Patients can compare companion services and pricing to choose the option that fits their appointment requirements.
Companions with healthcare experience, providing non-medical support
What sets MyAppointmentPal apart is who shows up at the door. Most of the company’s companions are certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or are currently in nursing school. Every companion is background-checked and CPR-certified. MyAppointmentPal is registered with Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) as a Homemaker and Companion Services Provider.
MyAppointmentPal provides non-medical companionship and transportation. These services do not include nursing care, clinical assessments or medical advice. Questions about treatment, medication, or discharge instructions should be directed to the patient’s healthcare team.
Many MyAppointmentPal companions also speak English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Patients can request a companion who speaks their preferred language, subject to availability. Language support is not a substitute for a qualified medical interpreter when one is needed.
“When we started in Orlando, we knew there were people who needed a ride. What we didn’t fully realize was how many of them needed someone they could trust,” said Jeff Leiken, founder of MyAppointmentPal. “Having CNAs and nursing students as our companions has made all the difference. They know how to relate to a patient coming out of sedation, they understand discharge instructions, and they treat every client like family. Many of them can also speak with patients in English, Spanish or Creole, which puts people at ease on a stressful day. Orlando showed us how much this service matters, and we’re thrilled to bring it to Jacksonville, Tampa, West Palm, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota.”
Built for patients, families and medical offices
MyAppointmentPal serves:
- Patients who live alone or don’t have a friend or relative available on the day of their procedure.
- Adult children and caregivers who can’t take time off work or live too far away to help.
- Medical practices, surgery centers, eye surgery centers and fertility clinics looking for a dependable resource to recommend to patients, including those who prefer Spanish or Haitian Creole.
“Every canceled procedure means a patient waits longer for the treatment they need,” Leiken added. “Our goal is to make sure nobody has to skip an appointment because they don’t have a ride home. We’re excited to partner with practices in these new communities and to show them what we’ve been doing in Orlando.”
Booking in Orlando and the five new markets
Patients in Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota can check companion availability for their city and procedure date or email booking@myappointmentpal.com.
Medical offices interested in partnering with MyAppointmentPal can learn more about support for clinics and contact the team.
About MyAppointmentPal
MyAppointmentPal is an AHCA-registered Homemaker and Companion Services Provider based in Orlando, Florida. The company provides non-medical companionship and transportation for medical appointments, including procedures that require a responsible adult to accompany the patient home. Its companions are background-checked and CPR-certified, and most are certified nursing assistants or nursing students. Many speak English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Media Contact
Jeff Leiken, President
booking@myappointmentpal.com
407-861-2446