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

How to Sign Up for Ophelia Health

You can sign up for treatment by visiting the Ophelia Health website.

What Is Ophelia Health?

Ophelia Health is an online medication-assisted treatment program for those suffering from opioid addiction. They also diagnose and treat other mental health issues that often emerge with opioid use disorder, such as depression or anxiety. The cost of care is $195.00 a month, plus the cost of medication. Ophelia is available in select states and many major insurance plans are accepted.

Ophelia provides services in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. All of the treatment is conducted virtually through Zoom appointments. Ophelia is expanding to offer treatment in other states. If you’re interested, you can sign up to be notified when Ophelia becomes available in your state.

Ophelia primarily offers comprehensive care for patients with opioid use disorder. They aim to make treatment as accessible as possible by making all of their services available exclusively online. When you sign up to be a patient with Ophelia, you’ll be connected with an enrollment coordinator who will help you with the onboarding process, explain how the program works, answer any of your questions, discuss insurance and costs, and schedule your first visit.

At your first appointment, you’ll be paired with a care coordinator who will be helping you throughout your treatment program. Your care coordinator can help you with scheduling, managing prescriptions, connecting with insurance representatives, or finding extra resources in your local area. You can even schedule routine calls with your care coordinator if you need some extra support.

You’ll also be matched with a clinician that will be conducting a medical evaluation via Zoom to determine if medication-assisted treatment is right for you. If so, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy for pick-up. Generally, in the first month, you’ll see your clinician at least once a week to ensure that your medication is managed properly. Because each treatment plan is personalized, follow-up appointments will be scheduled to meet each patient’s needs.

Patients receiving medication-assisted treatment will have to complete routine drug tests. You will not be penalized or removed from Ophelia’s program if you receive unexpected results from drug tests. Drug tests are used to monitor your progress and ensure that your dosage and treatment plan is being administered safely and effectively.

Who Is Ophelia Right For?

Ophelia would be a great fit for anyone that’s interested in trying a medication-assisted program and those who are seeking the convenience of online treatment for opioid use disorder.

Interested in Trying a MAT Program

If you’ve had a long struggle with opioid addiction, you may have tried several different paths to recovery, such as attending meetings, quitting cold turkey, or enrolling in a residential rehabilitation program. Ophelia may be a great option for anyone who’s tried other solutions but is ready to try Suboxone for opioid use disorder. Studies show that Suboxone is effective and can lower the risk of fatal overdoses by approximately 50% when used properly.¹

Want the Convenience of Online Treatment

Trying to find treatment for opioid addiction can be time-consuming, and emotionally and physically draining. Ophelia makes it easy for patients to get the medication-assisted treatment they need without having to leave their homes. You can schedule appointments in the evenings or on weekends, which makes Ophelia a great choice for those who need more accessible treatment options.

Who Might Want an Alternative to Ophelia?

You may need an alternative to Ophelia if you’re looking for in-person, hybrid, or inpatient programs, need therapy with treatment, or if you’re hoping to treat co-occurring conditions or addictions.

Those Who Need Inpatient, In-Person, or Hybrid Programs

For some, offering all addiction recovery services exclusively online is a perk, but for others, relying solely on telehealth isn’t the best option. For severe opioid use disorders, patients may be better served by checking into an inpatient rehabilitation facility where they can receive 24-hour care or in-person visits at a local clinic. There’s also the option of hybrid programs that provide a mixture of in-person and online services. Unfortunately, Ophelia is only offered in the form of remote care, so it’s not the best choice for those who need extensive support. For help finding an inpatient, in-person, or hybrid 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.

Those Who Need Therapy with MAT Program

While Ophelia provides a care team that offers extra support throughout your program, they do not include therapy with your medication-assisted treatment. Not everyone requires regular visits with a licensed therapist when participating in a MAT program, but it can be incredibly helpful for some. If you feel you could benefit from therapy with your medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, you may benefit from help from Eleanor Health. Eleanor Health takes a “whole-person” approach and provides therapy and counseling along with MAT.

To learn more about this program, check out our in-depth review of Eleanor Health.

People with Co-Occurring Conditions or Addictions

Ophelia Health offers additional medication for common symptoms associated with addiction, specifically depression, anxiety, and insomnia. However, Ophelia doesn’t provide comprehensive care for co-occurring mental health disorders or conditions. If you’re facing a dual diagnosis, a better choice may be Workit Health. Workit Health provides diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring conditions or addictions, such as disordered eating and opioid addiction or cocaine dependency and alcoholism.

Ophelia Health User Reviews

There aren’t many online reviews for Ophelia, but I was able to find a few patient reviews on the Ophelia Facebook page and the Better Business Bureau. Many patients mentioned that they appreciate receiving treatment without judgment and Ophelia’s responsive care coordinators. However, there were a few complaints about waiting for prescriptions and the fact that Ophelia does not offer therapy with medication-assisted treatment.

Treatment Without Judgment

With the stigma that often circles around those suffering from addictions, I did not find it surprising to read that many Ophelia patients were thrilled to be treated without the criticism or judgment that they experienced with other recovery programs. Many reviewers mentioned that they felt the care coordinators and doctors provided genuine care and compassion.

Very Responsive Care Coordinators

Several Ophelia reviews discussed the responsiveness of the care coordinators. Patients mentioned that they consistently felt supported throughout their treatment due to the dedication of their care team. When issues arise, such as scheduling problems, insurance complications, or miscommunication with pharmacies, care coordinators act quickly and effectively to resolve any conflicts.

Issues with Refilling Prescriptions

In one complaint, a patient mentioned missing a telehealth appointment because of an internet issue. Apparently, they weren’t able to schedule a new appointment until the following week and missed getting a refill on their prescription, which led to painful withdrawal symptoms. Delayed prescription refills can be a significant problem for patients, but thankfully, there weren’t many issues like this reported online.

Wish Therapy Was Included

A few patients stated that the program would be better if patients could regularly meet with a licensed therapist while they’re receiving medication-assisted treatment. While Ophelia does provide a care support team that includes enrollment and care coordinators and doctors, they do not offer therapy within their program. However, a care coordinator could help you find a therapist in your area if needed.

How Much Does Ophelia Cost?

The cost of treatment with Ophelia is $195.00 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

Ophelia costs $195.00 a month for those without insurance. The monthly payment includes:

• All Zoom calls with clinicians and care team
• Suboxone medication management
• Daily support from Ophelia care team
• Access to comfort medication to ease withdrawal symptoms
• Diagnosis and treatment of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia disorders
• Optional individual and group peer-support services²

Medication Costs

The cost of medication will vary depending on the type of medication, the dosage, and how much you’re prescribed. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of medication or charge a low co-pay.

Does Ophelia Accept Insurance?

Yes, Ophelia accepts several major insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. If you’d like to use health insurance for mental health services, you’ll first have to verify if Ophelia is available in your state.

In-Network Insurance Options

Ophelia accepts insurance from a variety of providers including Humana, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare and Medicaid plans. Ophelia is currently offered in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The company is expanding, so there could be treatment plans with Ophelia offered soon in your state.

Out-of-Network Benefits

An Ophelia representative can create an itemized superbill  and assist you in submitting a claim to your insurance company.

How Does Ophelia Work?

To sign up for treatment with Ophelia, call (215) 585-2144 or visit the Ophelia website. Then, follow the steps listed below.

1. Go to the website or call to get connected with an enrollment coordinator
2. Discuss pricing and insurance
3. Ask any questions you may have regarding treatment
4. Get paired with a care coordinator
5. Get paired with a clinician
6. Attend a virtual medical evaluation with your clinician to decide if medication is right for you
7. Pick up your prescription at your local pharmacy
8. Schedule follow-up appointments as needed.

Ophelia Health: Detailed Review

Ophelia Health is an online medication-assisted treatment program for those struggling with opioid addiction. Subscription plans cost $195 a month, but that does not include the cost of medication. Ophelia is offered in select states and they accept many major insurance plans, so your actual costs could be less.

Ophelia’s MAT program is dedicated to treating opioid use disorder and common symptoms that are often associated with opioid addiction, specifically depression, anxiety, and insomnia. All of Ophelia’s services are offered online, making their treatment program incredibly accessible. Before you can begin medication-assisted treatment, you’ll need to connect with an enrollment coordinator who will explain how the program works, answer your questions, discuss insurance/payment options, and schedule your first visit with your clinician.

Your clinician will conduct a medical evaluation to see if Suboxone is right for you. If they believe you can benefit from MAT, they’ll send a prescription to your local pharmacy for pick up. They aim to begin treatment as quickly as possible, so you may even be able to pick up your prescription the same day as your initial virtual visit with your clinician. If any issues arise throughout your treatment, you can contact a care coordinator for assistance. Care coordinators are there to help you with scheduling, insurance, prescriptions, and any other problems that may arise during your program.

Who Is Eligible for Treatment?

Anyone over the age of 18 who is regularly using opioids and is interested in treating their addiction with Suboxone is eligible for treatment. MAT with Ophelia is not for those with severe opioid addiction who might require acute medical care.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is used in the treatment of opioid use disorders and is prescribed by licensed medical professionals. It contains both buprenorphine and naloxone, which collectively act to block the effects of opioids and relieve symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Studies show that Suboxone can significantly reduce the risk of overdose and relapse.³

The World Health Organization places Suboxone on its list of Essential Medicines for its life-saving effects. Suboxone is also promoted as the first line of treatment for opioid addiction by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA approved Suboxone in 2002 and it has continued to be labeled as a safe and effective drug since it hit the market in the Spring of 2003.⁴

Care Coordinators

Care coordinators are a significant part of Ophelia’s support team. They help patients through every step of their MAT program by assisting with scheduling appointments, managing insurance claims, and ensuring that pharmacies are receiving and filling prescriptions. If you’re interested, a care coordinator can also help you connect with individual or group peer support. Care coordinators must hold a BS or BA and the majority of Ophelia’s team possess a relevant degree, such as Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or Public Health.

Ophelia Vs Competitors

Ophelia Health isn’t the only company offering MAT programs for opioid use disorder. Bicycle Health and Workit Health are two strong competitors to Ophelia. Below you’ll find a brief summary of the differences and similarities between these companies.

Ophelia Vs Bicycle Health

Bicycle Health offers services that are almost identical to Ophelia. They both focus solely on opioid use disorders and provide medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone. Ophelia and Bicycle Health also include support care teams to assist patients throughout their treatment program. Ophelia offers help for depression, anxiety, and insomnia along with opioid addiction treatment, where Bicycle health only prescribes Suboxone. However, while Ophelia’s services are offered only online, Bicycle Health offers in-person care at clinics in select cities.

Bicycle Health and Ophelia are only offered in select states, but both companies plan to expand. Pricing is competitive, with monthly memberships costing $195 with Ophelia and $199 with Bicycle Health. Both companies accept several major insurance plans. If you believe that you need medication for the treatment of insomnia, depression, or anxiety along with Suboxone, Ophelia is the better option. However, if you’d like in-person care and you’re located in one of Bicycle Health’s cities, you can schedule an appointment at one of their clinics.

To learn more, check out our in-depth review of Bicycle Health.

Ophelia Vs Workit Health

Workit Health and Ophelia offer similar MAT services, but Workit Health is much more comprehensive. Workit Health provides care for opioid addiction, as well as meth, cocaine, and alcohol use disorders. Workit Health’s program can also assist with other forms of addiction, like gambling, smoking, sex and pornography, and disordered eating.

Workit Health and Ophelia are offered in select states, do not provide in-person care, and accept some forms of insurance. Workit Health costs $75 a week to receive treatment for opioid use disorder, which is more expensive than Ophelia, but it includes more resources. Treatment with Workit Health includes virtual appointments with a physician, medication-assisted treatment, unlimited messaging with your care team, at-home drug testing, and access to virtual workshops and events.

How Ophelia Has Evolved

Ophelia was founded in May of 2019 by Zack Gray and Mattan Griffel. Gray was inspired to create Ophelia due to losing a loved one to an opioid overdose. He wanted to make it easier for people to get treatment in the midst of a national opioid epidemic. Ophelia Health began in Pennsylvania in 2020 and now offers telemedicine in 14 states.⁵

Gray has been cited for having controversial views on traditional rehab methods. He told Forbes that opioid addiction treatment shouldn’t necessarily be managed in the same way as alcohol abuse disorder or other addictions. “Narcotics Anonymous (NA) will shame you for using medication, bound to the dogma that what works for alcohol (AA) also works for opioids,” Gray added. “Rehab today is ineffective and expensive. We’re re-inventing it to look the way it should.”⁶

Frequently Asked Questions About Ophelia Health

What Credentials do Ophelia Health Providers Hold?

Medical providers include Medical Doctors, Family Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants.

How Am I Matched with My Care Team?

Your enrollment coordinator will pair you with a care coordinator and a clinician.

Can I Switch to a Different Clinician During My Treatment?

Yes, Ophelia allows you to switch to different clinicians if you feel dissatisfied or uncomfortable with the one you’re assigned. Patients aren’t assigned one care coordinator, they have access to all available care coordinators throughout their treatment.

What Medications Are Available with Ophelia Health?

Suboxone is the main medication that is prescribed through Ophelia’s program.

How Do I Get My Prescription?

Prescriptions are sent to your local pharmacy for pick-up.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA for mental health treatment with Ophelia, as long as the form of payment is compatible with their billing system.

How Do I Unenroll from Ophelia?

You can contact your care coordinator to help you unenroll from Ophelia’s program.

Does Ophelia Offer Refunds?

A Ophelia representative explained that have been very few circumstances when refunds were warranted, but they do their best to meet the needs of their patients, so any refund requests will be sent to supervisors for review.

Is Ophelia HIPAA Compliant?

Yes, Ophelia is HIPAA-compliant. To learn more, you can check out their Notice of Privacy Policies, and Terms of Use.

Final Verdict on Ophelia

Ophelia Health can be an incredible resource to those with opioid use disorder. Their goal is to make medication-assisted treatment as accessible as possible, which can be a significant relief to anyone who’s struggled to receive treatment in the past due to busy schedules, lack of transportation, or privacy issues. While it would be helpful if Ophelia offered therapy alongside their MAT program, it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker for those who are focused on treating their addiction with Suboxone from an experienced clinician who can monitor their progress and ensure their treatment is being administered safely and correctly.

Summary of Ophelia