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

How to Sign Up for Eleanor Health

Visit Eleanor Health’s website to sign up.

What Is Eleanor Health?

Eleanor Health provides medication-assisted treatment and therapy to those struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. Services are offered online in seven states and in person in select cities. Eleanor Health accepts major insurance plans. The total cost of care will depend on your location, insurance provider, and treatment plan.

Eleanor Health is available in Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. There are currently 32 clinics in select cities throughout these states, however, the company is growing, so a clinic could be popping up in your state in the near future. Appointments are available on weekdays, weekends, and evenings. Eleanor Health also welcomes walk-ins at all clinic locations.

Once you contact Eleanor Health, your first appointment will be scheduled as quickly as possible — likely happening the same day or within 24 hours. Your onboarding representative will go over your insurance information and payment options. You’ll then meet with a medical provider and the rest of your care team assigned to you. After a medical evaluation, your physician will determine if medication-assisted treatment is right for you. If so, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy for pick up. Eleanor Health takes a personalized approach, so all treatment plans are designed according to each patient’s preferences, needs, and goals. Generally, in the first 90 days, you can expect one to three sessions a week with your care team. Appointments will not be as frequent as you feel more comfortable and confident with your progress.

All Eleanor Health patients have access to their secure online portal, which is where you’ll communicate via video or direct message with your support care team, which includes your doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, and recovery support coach. Recovery coaching targets a patient’s social support system and day-to-day well-being. Recovery coaches can help patients find safe housing, connect with peers, find a job, arrange child care, and more. Patients are allowed to switch to different coaches, therapists, and medical providers if they feel they’re not a good match.

If your treatment includes MAT or if you have a substance use disorder-related care plan, you may be asked to complete a drug test (urine toxicology screen). A representative from Eleanor Health explained that this process is not punitive, and patients will not be “fired” or discharged from care if they have an unexpected result. Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan with measurable goals, and those goals are adjusted and tailored to meet individual needs.¹

Who Is Eleanor Health Right For?

Eleanor Health would be a terrific choice for anyone seeking a whole-person approach to addiction recovery, those who prefer the convenience of online treatment, and patients with co-occurring mental health disorders.

Seeking a Whole-Person Approach

Eleanor Health demonstrates that taking a whole–person approach to addiction recovery significantly increases chances of success. They define a whole-person approach as a method of care that involves your mental, physical, social, and emotional health.²
If you’re looking for comprehensive treatment plans that include medication, therapy, and other resources, like job assistance, nutritional guides, and childcare arrangements, Eleanor Health would be an excellent option.

Convenience of Telehealth

In-person treatment has its advantages, but it can be difficult for some patients to manage appointments due to busy schedules, lack of transportation, limited childcare options, and many other reasons. Telehealth may also feel more private when you can see physicians, psychiatrists, and therapists from the comfort of your own home. Eleanor Health would be a good fit for anyone who prefers the convenience of online addiction recovery services.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Many people struggling with addiction are also attempting to manage things like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. Eleanor Health doesn’t only manage medication and therapy for addiction, it also curates treatment plans for those who have co-occurring mental health disorders.

Who Might Want an Alternative to Eleanor Health?

While Eleanor Health offers convenient and comprehensive treatment plans for substance use disorders, it may not be a good fit for everyone. Those who are primarily focused on recovery from opioid use disorder or anyone seeking in-patient care may want an alternative.

Focus on Opioid Use Disorder Recovery

Eleanor Health provides several different medication-assisted treatments for many forms of addiction. While it does offer Suboxone, a medication used to treat withdrawal symptoms from opioid use disorder, it’s not the company’s primary focus. Anyone hoping to overcome opioid dependency might be better served by Bicycle Health. Bicycle Health’s entire program is dedicated to medication-assisted treatment and therapy for opioid use disorder.

You can learn more about this program by reading our in-depth review of Bicycle Health.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

Eleanor Health’s outpatient program may not be the best option for those with severe substance use disorders. Many patients may benefit from long-term inpatient or residential care. Patients stay at the treatment facility where they receive 24-hour care,  intensive recovery therapy, and medication assistance for extended periods of time. 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.

Eleanor Health User Reviews

There aren’t many online reviews for Eleanor Health, but I was able to find a few reviews from former patients on the Eleanor Health Facebook page. Reviewers mention that they appreciate the genuine care from the support staff and the convenience of the telehealth appointments. However, one reviewer stated they had issues with deceptive billing practices.

Genuine Care from Support Staff

Patients stated that they love the authenticity of the staff. The recovery coaches and other people on their support team show a genuine interest in your progress. They explained that everyone from receptionists to medical providers were kind, respectful, and caring.

Accessible Telehealth Treatments

Another reviewer emphasized the convenience of telehealth appointments and how easy it was to receive treatment. The medical provider, therapists, and coaches are able to work around busy schedules and see patients on weekends. The accessibility and convenience of the appointments make it easier for patients to commit to the treatment and stick with Eleanor Health’s program.

Issues with Billing

Only one reviewer mentioned issues with billing. They stated that they received bills for treatments they never received and weren’t able to view an itemized bill or hear the justification for the medical coding of the treatments.

How Much Does Eleanor Health Cost?

The cost of care will depend on your individual treatment plan. Eleanor Health accepts major insurance plans and they offer discounts to self-pay members.

Does Eleanor Health Accept Insurance?

Yes, Eleanor Health accepts major forms of insurance, including Cigna, United, and Aetna in the following states: Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. To see if you can use health insurance for mental health in your state, check out Eleanor Health’s insurance and pricing policies.

Out-of-Network Benefits

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

How Does Eleanor Health Work?

Receiving treatment from Eleanor Health is an easy and straightforward process. To get started, visit the Eleanor Health website and follow the steps listed below.

1. Choose to take the optional online quiz, call the number listed for your state, or fill out the contact form on the website and get connected with an Eleanor Health representative
2. Your onboarding representative will verify your insurance and discuss forms of payment
3. Attend your first session and meet the members of your care team
4. Your medical provider will conduct an evaluation to decide if medication-assisted treatment is right for you
5. If your doctor decides that medication can benefit you, you can pick up your prescribed medication at your local pharmacy
6. Your personalized treatment plan is developed that includes medication assistance, therapy, and recovery coaching

Eleanor Health: Detailed Review

Eleanor Health provides treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. They take a whole-person approach to addiction recovery by providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy, and recovery coaching. Eleanor Health offers online and in-person treatment and accepts many major insurance plans. The overall cost will depend on a patient’s location, insurance, and personalized treatment plan.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment is a cornerstone of Eleanor Health’s services and a significant element of the whole-person approach to addiction recovery. Studies show that utilizing medication along with therapy can increase the likelihood of a successful recovery and reduce the risk of death from overdose.²
If your medical provider believes you can benefit from MAT, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy for pick up. Some of the medications prescribed by Eleanor Health physicians include:

• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Vivitrol
• Suboxone
• Campral
• Chantix

Psychiatry for Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders

Oftentimes, those struggling with addiction simultaneously face other mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. Eleanor Health provides psychiatry services to safely and effectively manage medication for mental health disorders alongside MAT for addiction. Because mental health illnesses and addiction are frequently intertwined, psychiatry services are an amazing component of Eleanor Health’s personalized treatment plans.

Therapy & Counseling

Patients at Eleanor Health also gain access to different forms of therapy and counseling, such as individual therapy, group counseling, couples/marriage therapy, and family therapy. When building your personalized treatment plan, you’ll discuss with your support care team the best style of therapy for your recovery. Working with a therapist can help you learn coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers, as well as help you discover underlying thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that impact your addiction.

Recovery Coaching

Recovery coaching is an additional resource that helps complete the whole-person approach to recovery. Eleanor Health goes beyond medication and therapy to address other lifestyle issues that can contribute to relapses. For instance, a recovery coach may help patients manage transportation, create budgets, plan meals, arrange child care, or find a job. When visiting a clinic in person, a recovery coach can also help you connect with peers in your local recovery community. Recovery coaches are there to help you navigate obstacles and create positive and healthy daily routines.

Eleanor Health Vs Competitors

A few companies offer services that are similar to Eleanor Health. Below you’ll find a brief summary of its competitors, Bicycle Health and Ophelia.

Eleanor Health Vs Bicycle Health

The main difference between Eleanor Health and Bicycle Health is that Bicycle Health only offers medication-assisted treatment, Suboxone, to those suffering from opioid use disorder and Eleanor Health provides a variety of medication for various addictions. Bicycle Health offers one-on-one coaching and helps patients get connected to online recovery meetings. However, they do not provide therapy or psychiatry services for co-occurring mental health disorders.

Like Eleanor Health, Bicycle Health is offered in select states, but Bicycle Health is currently offered in 28 states, while Eleanor health is only offered in seven. Bicycle Health accepts many major insurance plans but also has a flat monthly membership fee of $199.00 for those without insurance. Medication costs are separate from Bicycle Health, but insurance may cover prescription costs. Overall, Eleanor Health’s whole-person approach and variety of services make it a more comprehensive treatment program. However,  if you’re solely focused on treating an opioid use disorder, Bicycle Health may be a better fit.

To learn more about exactly what they offer, you can read our in-depth review of Bicycle Health.

Eleanor Health Vs Ophelia

Ophelia is similar to Bicycle Health because its services are dedicated to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. However, like Eleanor Health, Ophelia also offers treatment for other mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. If you’re managing a dual diagnosis of opioid use disorder and a mental health disorder, Ophelia could be a terrific resource.

Ophelia is available in 14 states and accepts major insurance plans. Unlike Eleanor Health, Ophelia offers a subscription-based payment plan for those paying out of pocket. It costs $195 and includes video appointments with a medical provider, care coordination, diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and optional individual and group peer support. The monthly membership fee does not include medication, but medication may be covered under your insurance.

You can learn about what they offer by visiting the Ophelia website.

Final Verdict on Eleanor Health

Eleanor Health is an exceptional company that aims to change the game for treatment for substance use disorders. I was particularly impressed with their “whole-person” approach to recovery. Addressing the whole person instead of just the addiction or mental health symptoms gives patients a greater chance at success. The collective effort of the support team and personalized treatment plan makes Eleanor Health an incredibly strong resource for individuals and families that have been impacted by addiction.

Summary of Eleanor Health

Visit Eleanor Health

How Eleanor Health Has Evolved

Eleanor Health was founded in 2019 by Corbin Petro and Nzinga Harrison, MD. and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts. They chose the name “Eleanor Health” because Eleanor means “shining light” in Greek, and they wanted to give a nod to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was an early activist for universal medical care and human rights.⁴ Their first outpatient clinic was launched in Mooresville, NC in 2019 and they now have 32 clinics throughout the U.S.

While Eleanor Health is expanding to provide more care in both clinics and online, Petro warns of the dangers of depending solely on telehealth when it comes to substance use disorders. She recently told Behavioral Health Business, “While the expansion of telehealth and virtual care due to the pandemic has been beneficial overall, virtual-only is not the best long-term option for all populations. Specifically, in mental health and addiction treatment, where trusted relationships and longitudinal care are critical to positive outcomes, patients require personalized care plans and access to multiple modalities. Hybrid approaches that include both in-person and virtual options will be de rigueur in 2023.” ⁵

Frequently Asked Questions About Eleanor Health

What Is Eleanor Health’s Hiring Process?

Kirsten Swensen, a representative for Eleanor Health, gave us an in-depth explanation for their hiring process. Swensen says, “For candidates to be considered for a health provider role at Eleanor Health, they must have a certain number of years of relevant experience, a suitable educational background and degree, and hold a valid license in their field of expertise and/or certification. It is essential that they fit the culture of the organization and understand our care model.”

The Eleanor Health interview process is comprised of four stages: 

• The first stage is a screening with a TA partner, where they assess the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and fit for the role and the organization. This includes evaluating their technical knowledge, relevant experience, communication skills, and personality traits to determine if they are suitable and align with the company’s values and culture.
• The second stage is a comprehensive interview with the hiring manager, where the candidate’s skills, behaviors, and fit for the role are evaluated in-depth.
• In the third stage, the candidate meets with a team member in a similar role for a peer interview. Clinical assessments may also be conducted during this stage for certain positions.
• Finally, in the last stage, the candidate will meet with a leader to ensure they are a good fit for the Eleanor Health team and organization in the leader sign-off.

How Am I Matched with My Support Team?

An Eleanor Health coordinator will automatically assign you with your support team upon enrollment.

Can I Switch to a Different Therapist or Physician?

Yes, Eleanor Health wants you to have a positive experience, so they’re willing to make any accommodations necessary for patients.

What Medications Are Available with Eleanor Health?

Some of the medications prescribed by Eleanor Health physicians include:

• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Vivitrol
• Suboxone
• Campral
• Chantix

How Do I Get My Prescription?

You can pick up your prescription at your local pharmacy.

Can I Use My HSA or FSA?

Yes, Eleanor Health allows you to use your FSA or HSA to pay for treatment.

How Do I Unenroll from Eleanor Health?

Contact Eleanor Health through the number listed for your state and a representative can help you unenroll from treatment.

Does Eleanor Health Offer Refunds?

Yes, Eleanor Health will offer refunds when deemed appropriate.

Is Eleanor Health HIPAA Compliant?

Yes, Eleanor Health is HIPAA compliant and works to keep your health information private and secure. You can learn more by reviewing Eleanor Health’s Terms of Service or Eleanor Health’s Privacy Policy