Patients across the country have increasingly turned to telehealth for a wide range of medical conditions, and opioid use disorder (OUD) is no exception. Since becoming widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become a routine form of care for a growing number of people.
In fact, research shows that all age groups are becoming increasingly interested in telehealth services over traditional, in-person doctor’s visits. If you’re curious about receiving care from home, you’ll take comfort in the fact that Ophelia offers telehealth opioid addiction treatment. Here’s what you should know about the process.
How do telehealth visits work for opioid use disorder?
Telehealth for OUD operates similarly to an in-office visit, except that you’ll meet with a provider and receive care virtually instead of driving to their office. The benefits of this mode of care span far and wide: not only has telehealth been shown to be effective for the treatment of OUD, but it also decreases barriers to treatment, such as costs and transportation. Simply put, telehealth ensures access to high-quality, consistent care from the convenience of your home.
Telehealth opioid addiction treatment can even encompass medications for addiction treatment (MAT). Ophelia is an evidence-based provider of MAT via telehealth, meaning you can receive a buprenorphine prescription via telemedicine, as well as specific guidance and routine check-ins.
How telehealth is tailored to your needs
One of the most noteworthy advantages of telehealth opioid treatment is that it can be personalized to meet each patient’s specific needs. Beyond medication, Ophelia offers a variety of holistic care options included with your treatment for no additional cost. For example, we offer comprehensive care for mental health conditions that often accompany OUD, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Our care team can also provide resources to help you with smoking cessation, if needed. Instead of having to attend multiple appointments at different locations for these various services, you can get a full range of support via telehealth.
While telehealth leverages technology, the care you receive will still have a uniquely human touch. We offer a simple, hassle-free process to connect you with a dedicated care team, along with flexibility to ensure you get treatment when and where you want it. Our clinicians understand that everyone has a different starting point when it comes to OUD treatment. If you’re not already on buprenorphine, you can expect unwavering support during your induction. We’re here to help, and being just a call or text away means you don’t have to go anywhere to get the care you need.
How to use telehealth for OUD care
If you’re thinking about starting OUD treatment via telehealth or switching over to virtual appointments after you’ve already started treatment elsewhere, the process is simple.
You’ll start by meeting with our Enrollment team, who can answer any questions about what treatment entails. They can also walk you through the process of completing paperwork and scheduling your first visit, and they’ll handle the insurance process to see if your visits will be covered.
Speaking of care coverage, our telehealth care model is a big factor that helps to keep costs down. You won’t have to worry about commuting or finding transportation for appointments, which is an important way to save in itself. But you can also take advantage of the fact that Ophelia accepts insurance for a growing number of plans, as well as Medicaid. If you don’t have coverage options available, our transparent self-pay monthly is priced at $195 a month, and comes with all of our treatment program services, including:
- Video calls with your clinician
- Suboxone® medication management (based on eligibility)
- Ophelia care team support, 7 days a week
- Access to comfort medication for withdrawal symptoms
- Diagnosis and treatment of coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety
For help managing any aspects of your care, including issues with insurance, your pharmacy, or prescription, turn to our Care Coordination team. They’re available 7 days a week to provide administrative care.
Finally, our Clinical team is made up of board-certified clinicians who have extensive experience and knowledge in addiction medicine and psychiatry. From your intake visit through every check-in appointment you have, you can expect a judgment-free zone with the utmost level of support.
Typical telehealth appointments for OUD treatment
How do telehealth visits work for intake and beyond? First, all of your appointments will take place via Zoom. You’re likely already familiar with this video conferencing platform, but just as a refresher: it’s free to set up an account and use Zoom, so that’s one cost you won’t have to worry about when it comes to treatment. We’ll send you reminders before your appointments so you can stay on schedule.
During your initial telehealth appointment, your clinician will encourage you to share details about your substance use, medical, treatment, and social history. Based on this information, they’ll create a customized treatment plan, which may include buprenorphine-naloxone tablets or films (a Suboxone® prescription, important safety information). If so, you can expect detailed guidance on how and when to take your medication. Reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns, and know that we can also provide medications to alleviate discomfort.
But how do telehealth visits work for routine check-ins, including urine testing? Not only is it possible to do at-home urine testing, but it’s effective: in a study, nearly 100% of patients who began Ophelia’s telehealth opioid treatment had a drug test result that was positive for buprenorphine. In other words, the results for at-home urine testing were near-perfect, and patients didn’t need in-office visits to take their prescribed medication.
Telemedicine empowers you to pursue treatment on the terms that work best for you right now. If you’re ready to get started with Ophelia, set up a quick welcome call with us.
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