Bicycle Health Review 2024: Cost, Pros & Cons, & Who It’s Right For

What is Bicycle Health?

Bicycle Health offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and therapy for opioid use disorders for those 18-years and older. With Bicycle Health, you will be matched with a medical provider and meet them online or in person in select areas. Bicycle Health prescribes Suboxone, a medication that helps to relieve opioid withdrawal and reduce cravings.¹ For a monthly cost of $199, you get access to appointments with a licensed medical provider, online support groups, and care navigation. Some insurance plans are accepted.

Bicycle Health offers services to patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. They intend to expand to more states in the future. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available.

Bicycle Health offers comprehensive medical and behavioral treatment for opioid use disorders. Appointment frequency varies depending on each person’s individualized treatment plan. Typically, appointments are held more frequently at the beginning of treatment and then are gradually reduced. When you sign up with Bicycle Health you are matched with a provider, but you can opt to change providers if you wish.

Bicycle Health prescribers include medical doctors, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners. All of Bicycle Health’s clinicians are licensed and certified to prescribe Suboxone, and have experience working with addiction. Suboxone is the only medication prescribed by Bicycle Health prescribers. Suboxone can assist in managing opioid withdrawal, relieving cravings, and transitioning off of methadone treatment. If your provider decides that you would benefit from Suboxone, then a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy for pick up. Generally, insurance will cover the costs of Suboxone, but you may be responsible for a copay. If you do not have insurance, then you will have to pay out-of-pocket for the medication.

Treatment with Bicycle Health is primarily remote, but in some states it is possible to meet with a provider in-person. Patients are also expected to participate in at-home drug testing so that the treatment team can monitor progress. Online support groups are also available several days per week on a range of recovery-related topics.

Who Is Bicycle Health Right For?

There are many treatment options available for opioid use disorders, but you may be wondering what sets Bicycle Health apart. Compared to other treatment approaches for opioid addiction, Bicycle Health is a good option for anyone wanting online treatment and individuals who cannot commit to a traditional inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

Prefer the Convenience of Online Treatment

There may be many reasons why a person might prefer online treatment compared to in-person treatment, which is most common among addiction treatment programs. People with busy schedules, transportation issues, childcare responsibilities, social anxiety, or privacy concerns may feel more comfortable with an online option. Bicycle Health allows people with opioid use disorders to get evidence-based treatment from the comfort of their own homes.

Treatment with Flexible Schedules

Traditional inpatient and outpatient treatment programs tend to have demanding schedules that may be challenging for people who work or have other responsibilities. These programs often require that you be available during the day, which may not be feasible for everyone. Bicycle Health allows people to work around their own schedule. You can even schedule appointments in the evenings or on weekends, which can make getting help much more convenient.

Who Might Want an Alternative to Bicycle Health?

Bicycle Health offers treatment for mild to moderate opioid use disorders. Anyone who uses Bicycle Health’s services must be able to be safely managed on an outpatient basis. Individuals who are experiencing severe opioid use disorders or who are addicted to multiple substances may require an alternative approach to treating their addiction.

Severe Opioid Use Disorders

Bicycle Health is a form of outpatient treatment. This type of service can be beneficial for people dealing with mild opioid use disorders since they will have access to unlimited messaging and support groups. But people with severe opioid use disorders may need a higher level of care, such as inpatient or residential treatment. In this form of treatment, a person stays at a treatment facility for a period of time and works intensely on their recovery by attending therapy sessions every day. A medical or mental health provider can determine the severity of your opioid use disorder by conducting an evaluation. When you sign up for Bicycle Health, they will assess whether or not you are a good fit for their services. If not, they will refer you to a higher level of care. For help finding an addiction treatment facility, you can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or use the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator tool.

Polysubstance Addictions

Bicycle Health provides treatment exclusively for opioid use disorders. Their providers do not treat other types of addictions, such as addictions to alcohol or prescription benzodiazepines. If you are addicted to multiple substances, then you may need to seek treatment from a provider or facility that is equipped to treat polysubstance addiction. You can contact SAMHSA for assistance finding a provider or program.

Bicycle Health User Reviews

Bicycle Health has a 4.2-star rating from 50+ reviews in the Apple Store and a 4.6-star rating from 240+ reviews in the Google Play Store.. Positive reviews highlighted the quality care that customers received from compassionate providers. Negative reviews often reported customer service and billing issues that were not properly resolved.

Compassionate Care

Reviewers of Bicycle Health praised the service for providing compassionate care to people recovering from opioid use disorders. People noted the kindness and helpfulness of their providers. Doctors were described as professional, respectful, and understanding, which is important when treating addiction. Overall, most reviewers felt very positive about the care they received from Bicycle Health.

Billing Issues

Negative reviews of Bicycle Health most often centered on billing and customer service issues. Some customers reported discrepancies in their bills, problems with insurance claims, and poor customer service in resolving these issues. I too found it very difficult to connect with customer service by phone and email. I reached out to the company several times over the course of a few weeks and never received a response back.

How Much Does Bicycle Health Cost?

The cost of Bicycle Health is $199 per month without insurance. Monthly costs may be lower depending on your insurance coverage. The monthly plan does not include the cost of medication.

Monthly Program Costs

Bicycle Health’s monthly program fee is $199. This includes doctor’s visits, care navigation, online support groups, unlimited messaging, and lab tests.

Medication Costs

Medication is not included in the monthly fee. Suboxone is generally covered by health insurance, but the cost of medication varies depending on your insurance coverage. Generally, costs range from $0 to $150.

Does Bicycle Health Accept Insurance?

Yes, Bicycle Health does accept select health insurance plans. With Bicycle Health, you may be able to use your health insurance for mental health which will cover some or all of the costs of treatment. Health insurance coverage for Bicycle Health varies by state, so you will have to verify coverage on their website by entering your location. Generally, Bicycle Health is in-network with most major health insurance companies, including Medicare, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare.

Out-of-Network Benefits

If your insurance is out-of-network with Bicycle Health, you will be able to request a superbill. Bicycle Health will assist you in submitting this claim to your insurance provider.

How Does Bicycle Health Work?

Getting prescribed Suboxone with Bicycle Health is a quick and easy process. You can meet with a provider and get medication on the same day. To get started, you will need to visit the Bicycle Health website or download the app through the Apple Store or Google Play.

1. Bicycle Health allows you to schedule a phone call to determine if you are a right fit for their program OR you can enroll in their program online
2. Communicate with a scheduling agent who will assist you with setting up an evaluation with a prescriber
3. Get matched with a prescriber
4. Attend your video session
5. Develop a treatment plan with your provider
6. Get a prescription for medication
7. Pick up medication at your local pharmacy
8. Schedule follow-ups as needed

Bicycle Health Subscription: Detailed Review

Bicycle Health is an online treatment program for opioid use disorders that offers medication-assisted treatment and group therapy. The cost of Bicycle Health is $199 a month. Some insurance plans are accepted, so actual costs may be lower. The monthly cost includes doctor’s visits held via live video, unlimited messaging with your provider, care navigation with a clinical support specialist, and online group therapy.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders is Bicycle Health’s main service. MAT involves the use of medications, like Suboxone, to treat symptoms of addiction.¹ Medication for opioid use disorders is typically combined with some form of therapy or social support. Bicycle Health offers online support groups in addition to medication.

In order to qualify for treatment with Bicycle Health, you must speak with an enrollment specialist, either over the phone or through the website or app. The enrollment specialist will review the answers to the initial assessment questions and determine if you are a good candidate for Suboxone. If you are, they will help match you with a medical provider and schedule an appointment for a video evaluation. Your provider will evaluate you for Suboxone and send it to your local pharmacy if they decide to prescribe it for you. The whole process is fast and you may even be able to get prescribed Suboxone the same day. You and your provider will discuss how often you will meet for appointments. Typically, you will meet more frequently at the beginning of treatment and gradually taper off over time. You can message your provider at any point in between appointments with questions or concerns.

Who Is Eligible for Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Suboxone is FDA-approved for teens and adults ages 16 and older, but Bicycle Health will only treat those 18-years and older. When you sign up for Bicycle Health, you will first speak with an enrollment specialist to determine if you are a good fit for the company’s services. When you receive medication through Bicycle Health, you are also expected to participate in at-home or outpatient drug and lab testing as requested by your prescriber.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used in the treatment of opioid use disorders. It contains both buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors in the brain. It helps to relieve cravings and symptoms of opioid withdrawal without causing a person to feel “high.” Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the effects of opioids. This prevents people from experiencing a “high” if they take opioids while taking Suboxone. This can help deter relapse. Suboxone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid use disorder, like naltrexone, are effective treatments for opioid use disorders. They also increase the likelihood that people will remain in treatment and reduce the risk of overdose, criminal behavior, and HIV transmission.¹

Suboxone can be prescribed by a licensed medical provider, such as a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner, who has completed additional training in this area and received a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).² After a doctor prescribes Suboxone, the prescription can be sent to your local or mail-order pharmacy. Suboxone is typically covered by health insurance, but you may be responsible for a copay or deductible depending on your coverage. ³

Clinical Support Specialists

When you sign up with Bicycle Health, you will be connected with a clinical support specialist. A clinical support specialist helps you navigate treatment with Bicycle Health by connecting you to your provider(s) and assisting with appointment scheduling, billing, and prescriptions.

Online Support Groups

Bicycle Health offers online support groups as a part of its monthly plan. All support groups are one hour long and run by a recovery coach. Topics vary but may include stress management, managing triggers, relationships in recovery, and self-care. During each group, participants are encouraged to check-in about how they are doing, provide support to one another, and discuss the topic of the group.

Bicycle Health Vs Competitors

Bicycle Health has many similarities to other online treatment platforms, like Ophelia and WorkItHealth. Deciding which platform may come down to what you are seeking treatment for and the cost for the programs.

Bicycle Health Vs Ophelia

Ophelia is a service that also offers Suboxone for those experiencing opioid use disorders. Ophelia provides many of the same features as Bicycle Health, including video appointments, support, and care coordination. One feature that sets Ophelia apart is that it also offers treatment for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. If you are experiencing one of these conditions along with an opioid use disorder, then your Ophelia provider can provide treatment for both your addiction and mental health concerns.

Like Bicycle Health, Ophelia is only available in select states. Bicycle Health is currently available in more states than Ophelia, but both companies have plans to expand. The cost of Ophelia is $195 a month. It includes video appointments with a medical provider, care coordination, diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and optional individual and group peer support. Ophelia also accepts some health insurance plans.

Bicycle Health Vs WorkItHealth

WorkItHealth offers comprehensive treatment for select substance use and mental health disorders. With WorkItHealth, you can get treated for opioid, alcohol, or stimulant addictions, as well as depression and anxiety. The service also offers coaching to assist with problematic behaviors, like gambling, smoking, sex and pornography, and disordered eating. Compared to Bicycle Health, WorkItHealth offers considerably more services and treats a wider range of conditions.

Like Bicycle Health, WorkItHealth is only available in certain states. The opioid treatment program through WorkItHealth costs $75 a week, which is more than Bicycle Health. The plan includes virtual appointments with a provider, medication-assisted treatment, unlimited messaging with your care team, at-home drug testing, and access to virtual workshops and events. WorkItHealth also accepts some health insurance plans.

How Bicycle Health Has Evolved

Bicycle Health was founded in 2017 by Ankit Gupta in order to make quality medical and behavioral healthcare more accessible for people with opioid use disorders. The name refers to being a vehicle to support people’s recovery missions. Gupta found that many people addicted to opioids started using them to manage their pain and then felt too ashamed to get help. Initially, Bicycle Health opened a clinic in Redwood City, California. Then in 2020, the company expanded and began offering virtual care. In 2022, the company acquired $50 million in funding to support its mission to expand. Bicycle Health has plans to offer treatment in more states, add more clinicians to its team, and continue to conduct research on its treatment model.⁴ Today Bicycle Health prides itself on providing affordable, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorders.⁵

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Health

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

It is unclear if you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for Bicycle Health. We reached out to reps at Bicycle Health but did not receive a response back.

How Do I Unenroll from Bicycle Health?

To cancel your subscription with Bicycle Health, you need to send a message through the app. Your subscription will be canceled at the end of the current billing cycle.

Does Bicycle Health Offer Refunds?

It is unclear how Bicycle Health handles refunds. We reached out to reps at Bicycle Health but did not receive a response back.

Is Bicycle Health HIPAA Compliant?

Yes, Bicycle Health is HIPAA compliant and works to keep your health information private and secure. You can learn more by reviewing their HIPAA Privacy Practices, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use.

Final Verdict on Bicycle Health

Bicycle Health’s  platform is ideal for anyone with a mild to moderate opioid use disorder who is interested in Suboxone treatment. If you have a severe opioid use disorder or require a higher level of care, then this platform is not right for you. Bicycle Health is worth a try if you want to quit opioids but do not require detox or inpatient treatment and have access to stable housing, a good support system, and other recovery support.

For Further Reading

• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Health
• MentalHealth.gov
• Opioid Treatment: Medication & Therapy Options 
• Opioid Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments