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

How to Sign Up for Ria Health

You can sign up by visiting Ria Health’s website or by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

What Is Ria Health?

Ria Health provides medication-assisted treatment for those with alcohol use disorder. Patients receive a personalized treatment plan and recovery counseling with licensed mental health professionals. Ria Health’s services are available in all 50 states and can be accessed through the app or your personal device. They offer a monthly payment plan of $449.00 and they accept major insurance plans that may cover some or all of the cost of your program.

You begin the process by scheduling an appointment with a Ria Health enrollment counselor who will explain how the program works and assist you with the registration process. Once you’ve created an account, you’ll schedule your first appointment with a Ria Health medical provider to discuss your current relationship with alcohol, and personal goals and see if medication-assisted treatment is right for you. With Ria Health, you can choose to cut back or quit drinking completely. Your medical provider will tailor your treatment plan to meet your needs, while simultaneously addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders. If your doctor believes you can benefit from medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy.

You’ll also be paired with a recovery coach. Recovery coaches are trained and licensed mental health professionals with strong backgrounds in treating alcoholism. Ria offers weekly one-on-one sessions with a recovery coach to help patients reach personal goals. They utilize several therapeutic approaches to help you progress and stay committed to the program, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing for substance use disorder. You also have access to regularly scheduled online peer support groups.

Ria Health sends every new patient a handheld Bluetooth breathalyzer with an instructional video, which is included in treatment costs. You’ll be encouraged to use the breathalyzer daily to document your blood alcohol content (BAC). Routinely recording your BAC can help remind you of your goals and help your care team monitor your progress.

Who Is Ria Health Right For?

Ria Health would be an excellent choice for anyone who may be looking for an alternative to traditional recovery methods, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or inpatient rehabilitation programs. You might also benefit from Ria Health if you’re looking for the convenience of an online medication-assisted treatment program or if you want one-on-one support.

You Want an Alternative to Traditional Recovery Methods

Millions of people have been able to stay sober with the help of AA or inpatient rehabilitation programs that promote complete abstinence from alcohol. However, traditional recovery methods aren’t always a great fit for everyone. Ria Health offers an alternative approach to those who may have tried attending AA meetings or conventional 28-day rehab programs and found them ineffective. Ria Health’s medical providers and recovery coaches work with you to design a personalized treatment program that works for you in the privacy of your own home.

You’re Looking for the Convenience of an Online MAT Program

The convenience factor in online medication-assisted treatment programs should not be overlooked. So many people suffering from alcohol use disorder struggle to find treatment, therapy, and peer support within their communities. With Ria Health, you can schedule appointments, attend peer support group meetings, and connect with your recovery coaches through their mobile app, making treatment incredibly accessible.

You Want 1:1 Support

Whether it’s through a licensed therapist, a trained recovery coach, or a sponsor, getting one-on-one support can significantly increase your success in a treatment program.¹ Facing a road to recovery comes along with profound emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. Ria Health’s recovery coaches are there to help you overcome these obstacles and commit to your treatment plan.

Who Might Want an Alternative to Ria Health?

You may need an alternative to Ria Health if you’re suffering from severe alcohol use disorder, if you’re not looking for medication-assisted treatment, or if you’re battling more than one addiction.

Those with Severe Alcohol Use Disorder

Ria Health can be an incredible resource for anyone looking to cut back or quit drinking with an online treatment program. However, if you’re facing a severe case of alcohol dependency and you need critical care, you may benefit from an inpatient residential program. 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.

Those Who Are Not Interested in Medication-Assisted Treatment

While studies of medication-assisted treatment are promising, not everyone is looking to treat alcohol dependence with medication. ² If you’re interested in cutting back or quitting alcohol but would like some support without a prescription, you may benefit from downloading the Reframe app. Reframe provides recovery coaching, community connection, and an educational program that helps users learn how alcohol impacts the brain and body.

To learn more about this app, be sure to read our in-depth review of Reframe.

If You Have More Than One Addiction

Ria Health does not currently offer medication assistance to those facing polysubstance addictions. If you’re struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, you may be better served by Workit Health. Workit Health provides care for those with alcohol use disorder and substance use disorders, including treatment for opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other prescription stimulants.

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

Ria Health User Reviews

Ria Health has 3.3 stars from 16 reviews from the Apple App Store and 3.1 stars from 12 reviews from the Google Play Store. While Ria Health hasn’t yet collected a large number of reviews from its members, I was able to identify a few trending opinions in selected posts. Patients reported having a heightened sense of awareness of their relationship with alcohol and mentioned that the program helps them track drinking when cutting back. Unfortunately, several reviewers mentioned issues with the app functioning properly.

Heightened Sense of Awareness Around Drinking

Between the support from doctors and recovery coaches and the use of the Bluetooth breathalyzer device, Ria Health’s patients stated that they have a heightened sense of awareness around their drinking habits. Checking in with the support staff and keeping track of BAC has helped them create a self-care routine and commit to the program.

Great for Cutting Back

A few reviewers specifically stated that Ria Health has helped them cut back on drinking and be more mindful when they’re around alcohol. Mindful drinking, or living a sober curious lifestyle, has become an increasingly popular trend amongst adults of all ages, and it’s clear that Ria Health’s program supports this path for those who are not ready or interested in abstinence.

Issues with the App Functioning Properly

Both Google and Apple users reported issues with the app not working. Specific issues include not being able to log in and only being able to use the chat function instead of all the available tools. Unfortunately, there weren’t any developer responses to these glitches.

How Much Does Ria Health Cost?

Ria Health costs $449.00 monthly. Many major insurance plans are accepted that may cover some or all of the costs of your treatment. This monthly cost includes your personalized MAT program, recovery coaching, and more.

Program Costs

Ria Health’s program costs $449.00 a month for those without insurance. This cost includes:

• Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Medical Consultations
• Recovery Coaching
• Breathalyzer Device
• Peer Support
• Progress Monitoring Check-Ins

Cost of Medication with Ria Health

The cost of the medication will depend on your personalized treatment plan, location, dosage, and how long you stay on the medication. A Ria Health representative explained that the medications their medical team prescribes are all generic and considered fairly affordable. Most are covered by patients’ health benefit plans.

Does Ria Health Accept Insurance?

Yes, Ria Health accepts many major insurance plans. You can schedule a call with a Ria Health enrollment coordinator to help you find out if you can use your insurance for mental health and addiction recovery care.

In-Network Insurance Options

Ria Health is available in all 50 states and accepts many major insurance plans, including  Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare/Optum, Oxford, and Beacon Health Options. Unfortunately, Ria Health currently does not accept Medicaid or Medicare Advantage plans.

Out-of-Network Benefits

If your insurance is not accepted, a Ria Health representative can create an itemized superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

How Does Ria Health Work?

To get started with Ria Health, you can download the app from the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or visit the Ria Health website and follow the steps listed below.

1. Schedule a call with an enrollment coordinator who will help you create an account within the app or on your personal device
2. Schedule your first appointment with a Ria Health medical provider
3. Discuss personal goals and if medication-assisted treatment is right for you
4. If medication is right for you, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy
5. Meet with your recovery coach to set up weekly check-ins

Ria Health: Detailed Review

Ria Health is a medication-assisted treatment program that helps patients quit or cut back on drinking. Each treatment plan is customized to fit personal goals and includes one-on-one recovery coaching. Ria Health is available in all 50 states and accepts many major insurance plans. The cost of care is $449.00 monthly for those paying out-of-pocket.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Ria Health’s MAT program is its key feature. If you’re looking for non-clinical approaches to cutting back or quitting drinking, there are several options out there for support, such as using mindful drinking apps, like Sunnyside or Reframe. But if you are interested in medication-assisted treatment, Ria Health is an excellent resource. Their medical providers prescribe a variety of FDA-approved medications to help decrease withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings, which include:

• Naltrexone
• Disulfiram/Antabuse
• Acamprosate
• Gabapentin
• Baclofen
• Topiramate

Their medical team also manages medications for patients with co-occurring mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. Utilizing medication to curb alcohol cravings is referred to as The Sinclair Method (TSM), which was developed in Finland by Dr. John David Sinclair. This method has become increasingly popular throughout Europe and is now trending in the U.S. The medication works by blocking reward receptors in the brain that are activated when drinking alcohol.³ Studies show that TSM has a 78% success rate when followed correctly. ⁴

Even though TSM has a fairly high success rate, Ria Health understands that alcoholism can’t be addressed with medication alone. That’s why they also offer recovery coaching alongside The Sinclair Method to ensure that patients have the best chance at transforming their relationship with drinking.

Recovery Coaches

Ria Health’s recovery coaches are trained and licensed mental health professionals that have strong backgrounds in addiction treatment. You’ll meet with your recovery coach once a week to discuss your progress and address concerns. Recovery coaches are there to help you tackle challenges, identify triggers, learn to cope with cravings, and assist you with any other problems that arise throughout your program. They also host weekly group meetings that cover a wide variety of topics related to recovery. Ria Health’s recovery coaches utilize various therapeutic approaches to help you modify your drinking habits or quit drinking entirely.

Progress Tracking

Ria Health recommends that patients stay within the program for at least one year and they’ve set up a system to track your progress by monitoring several metrics. First, they help you stay engaged with the program through frequent visits with your medical provider and recovery coach. They also measure:

• Your daily BAC with the breathalyzer device that is provided
• Your mental well-being with screening tools, like the Gad-7 for diagnosing Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and other assessments throughout your program
• Alcohol risk assessment tests
• Biomarkers from lab panels to track reduction in elevated liver enzymes ⁵

A 12-month program is recommended, but some patients stick with their treatment longer and others feel they’ve reached goals sooner, so every case will be different. Closely tracking progress helps your care team know what tools and medications are working for you and correctly modify your treatment when necessary.

Ria Health Vs Competitors

If you’re looking for treatment for alcohol use disorder, it’s important to know your options. Below you’ll find a brief summary comparing Ria Health to a few of its top competitors.

Ria Health Vs Monument

Monument and Ria Health have a lot of similarities. They both target alcohol use disorder and offer personalized treatment plans that include medication-assisted treatment options and therapy services. Members can choose to cut back on drinking or quit alcohol entirely. Care is offered exclusively online with both companies, but Ria Health includes an app, and Monument’s program is only offered through their online patient portal on their website.

There are quite a few differences between the two when it comes to insurance and pricing. Ria Health is available in all 50 states, accepts many major insurance plans, and offers a $449.00 monthly payment plan for those without insurance. Monument’s MAT services are only available in select states and they accept insurance, but they also offer a variety of payment plans that include different levels of care. For example, their most expensive option is the total care package that includes all Monument services for $249.00 a month, and their least expensive option is $9.99 a month, but only includes physician care without therapy.

If you’re ready to commit to a structured full-service program, Ria Health may be a better fit. However, if you’re looking for a la carte services that can assist you in cutting back on drinking, you may find a payment plan with Monument that works for you and your personal goals.

Visit Monument

Ria Health Vs WorkIt Health

WorkIt Health and Ria Health are two companies that promote a whole-person approach to treating addiction with medication and therapy options, but Workit Health offers treatment for several different forms of addiction, like alcohol, opioids, and other stimulants. They both offer all of their services through an app or website, but Workit Health is only available in select states while Ria Health is offered in all 50 states.

Ria Health makes its pricing and insurance options very clear, while Workit Health encourages potential patients to call to learn more about their insurance options and payment plans. The cost of care with Workit Health will depend on your location, insurance, and personalized treatment plan. If you’re looking to cut back or quit drinking, Ria Health is a better choice because its program is tailored towards alcohol addiction and mindful drinking. However, if you’re managing more than one addiction, Workit Health will be a better option.

You can learn more about this option in our Workit Health review.

Visit Workit Health

Final Verdict on Ria Health

Ria Health’s program is an outstanding option for those looking to cut back or quit drinking with the help of medication-assisted treatment. Of course, it can be tough to completely transform your relationship with alcohol with medication alone, which is why Ria Health’s recovery coaching and peer support groups are critical components of their program. Because Ria Health is available in all 50 states, it makes it one of the most accessible MAT options for treating alcohol dependency and fostering mindful drinking.

Summary of Ria Health

Visit Ria Health

How Ria Health Has Evolved

Ria Health was founded in 2016 and is based out of San Francisco, CA. During my review of Ria Health, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Nix (CEO), about Ria Health’s mission, evolution, and the future direction of the company. Nix has experience working with technology services for communication and engagement of large healthcare systems, but he told me, “l was really looking for something that was more mission-oriented and impactful.” Thankfully, his brother Bob Nix (CTO) and Dr. John Mendelson (CMO) were in the process of developing Ria Health’s program and they recruited Tom first as an investor and then as a company leader.

Nix explained that he and Ria Health’s employees understand that traditional approaches to alcoholism, like AA or rehab, can be effective for some, but not all. He pointed to some of the latest research on alcohol use disorder and why these older methods may not have the reach that they had in the past. For example, one of the key reasons why AA meetings aren’t as effective is the rise in social anxiety. “So, imagine if you’re struggling with social anxiety and your main mechanism for help is a church basement with a bunch of strangers —maybe that doesn’t fit for you,” Nix says. “There’s a lot of opportunity to approach treatment with ‘one-size-doesn’t-fit-all’. What we’ve done is combine the best evidence-based approaches from decades of research and analysis, and that is a combination of medication-assisted treatment with psychosocial support.”

Nix also shared a look into what’s ahead for the company, specifically bringing Ria Health into the employer market to implement alcohol education into training programs. “We’re creating new programs that are primarily based on educating people on alcohol issues, risks, modern treatment options, and how to communicate in a destigmatizing way with a friend or co-worker who may be struggling.” Ria Health also plans to extend its services to adolescents in October of 2023.⁶

Frequently Asked Questions About Ria Health

What Credentials Do Ria Health Providers Hold?

Ria Health’s medical providers consist of medical doctors, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners with strong backgrounds in addiction treatment.

How Am I Matched with My Care Team?

You’ll be matched with a medical provider and a recovery coach after you complete the enrollment process. Matches are based on patient preferences and location.

Can I Switch to a Different Clinician or Recovery Coach During My Treatment?

Yes, Ria Health wants to ensure that all patients have the best chance at success, which includes changing their care team members upon request.

What Medications Are Available with Ria Health?

Ria Health will prescribe naltrexone, disulfiram/antabuse, acamprosate, gabapentin, baclofen, and topiramate. All of these are FDA-approved medications used to treat alcohol use disorder.

How Do I Get My Prescription?

If medication-assisted treatment is right for you, a prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy or a reputable online pharmacy of your preference.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA for mental health treatment with Ria Health.

How Do I Unenroll from Ria Health?

Your enrollment coordinator or your recovery coach can help you unenroll from Ria Health’s program.

Does Ria Health Offer Refunds?

Yes, if you have pre-paid for your program and you feel dissatisfied or if you feel you’ve successfully completed the program ahead of schedule, you can contact a customer service representative for a refund.

Is Ria Health HIPAA Compliant?

Yes, Ria Health is HIPAA-compliant. To learn more, you can check out their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

How Long Has Ria Health Been in Business?

Ria Health has been in business since 2016.