Getting help for opioid addiction can be intimidating, especially if past experiences with clinics have felt ineffective or like one-size-fits-all programs. Ophelia does things differently, putting the individual patient’s well-being first and making it our guiding principle.
When some people hear that we offer medications for addiction treatment (MAT) and OUD care online, they wonder if it’s too good to be true. We get it—comprehensive treatment on your terms is a novel approach to healthcare. Your concerns are valid, and we’re here to put your mind at ease.
Patient empowerment is at the core of Ophelia’s mission, with trusted, compassionate care teams and treatment options backed by science. Our goal is to provide life-changing treatment in a safe, supportive environment, allowing patients to feel confident about the future. Here’s how we do it.
Who is Ophelia?
In the simplest terms, we’re a team of some of the world’s leading experts on addiction medicine—and more importantly, we’re people who actually care about this problem.
That means we’re committed to helping our patients succeed instead of jumping through the hoops of an expensive rehab-relapse cycle, which can come with mandatory in-person sessions and punitive urine drug screenings that can be used to deny care later. We want to get patients on the right path to treating OUD based on their actual needs while providing support that fits into their life.
Our online MAT approach is novel, but the science points to two important facts: Medication-assisted treatment is by far the most effective solution for most people with opioid use disorder, and telehealth dramatically expands access to care, especially for patients who previously had to travel to receive treatment.
Just take a look at what Tina Rosenberg of The New York Times says about Ophelia’s MAT program:
"The science is unequivocal: The only effective treatment for opioid use disorder is what is called 'medication-assisted treatment.'"
We know that medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard for OUD care—unfortunately, it’s still much harder for people to get help than it needs to be.
Ophelia is trying to change that. As a Y Combinator and venture-backed startup, innovation is in our DNA. We’re motivated to find modern, effective ways to help people affected by the opioid crisis. For too long, we’ve been told that expensive in-person treatment was the only way, taking people away from their daily routines and supportive families.
Making OUD treatment available online makes it as accessible as possible without sacrificing quality. Check out our pricing page for more information on typical costs and insurance options.
Why telehealth?
Seeking OUD treatment has become needlessly complicated, which can deter many people from even trying. Ophelia simplifies the process of understanding patients' needs and connecting them with the right care options, thanks to the convenience and accessibility of telehealth.
Our commitment to online accessibility has even garnered attention from Forbes. They highlighted our process in their coverage of Ophelia’s launch:
"New York City-based Ophelia offers individuals who struggle with opioid addiction an online platform for medication-assisted treatment (MAT)... New users first consult with an Ophelia clinician who determines whether the patient is fit for treatment. The licensed clinician will then prescribe medication and follow up regularly to monitor and manage progress."
In the early days of the internet, sharing personal information and making purchases online seemed unimaginable. Two decades later, we’re more connected than ever. Socializing and shopping online are simply parts of daily life.
Up until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people had the same hesitance about telehealth—but now that we see how easy it is to find the information and products we need online, we should understand that telehealth is simply a convenient new way to get healthcare.
Most importantly, telehealth allows more people to receive the quality care they need without being limited by physical access to a Suboxone® doctor (important safety information) or needing to schedule around work and childcare. Telehealth removes these roadblocks to care. All you need is an internet connection to access Ophelia’s experienced and dedicated clinicians.
Why is Ophelia a trustworthy OUD treatment provider?
1. Medicaid-accepted treatment
Getting approved as a Medicaid provider requires rigorous vetting and consistently maintained clinical licenses, so it’s a big deal for Ophelia to accept Medicaid alongside a wide variety of insurance policies.
We serve patients in a growing number of states across the country and are working to make Ophelia available in new markets to reach as many people as possible.
2. Experienced, judgment-free clinicians
A medical program’s leadership and team tell you a lot about the care they provide. Ophelia is home to specialists in addiction medicine and opioid treatment, so you can feel confident about being cared for by experts.
Our team’s experience is drawn from a variety of healthcare settings:
- Hospitals and treatment centers
- Correctional facilities
- Academic and research institutions
This range of backgrounds is what allows us to bring patients the best possible care.
Ophelia’s clinical leadership combines top academic expertise with hands-on addiction treatment experience. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Arthur Robin Williams, serves as an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University's Division on Substance Use Disorders.
Co-designer Dr. Adam Bisaga, who brings expertise from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime Expert panel and extensive research in novel addiction treatments, helps lead our dedicated team in guiding patients through the process of addressing and treating addiction.
3. Supportive, comprehensive care
Our approach is rooted in evidence-based care that’s built on scientific backing and our patients’ results. In addition to consulting a growing body of research and best practices, we collaborate with patients to provide flexible treatment that we can adjust to their unique needs and experiences.
Instead of adhering to a rigid timetable or following punitive practices if a patient experiences setbacks, we look at that person’s individual progress to determine whether they’re receiving the right dosage, are ready to taper, and are getting the support they need for their changing physical and behavioral health.
Not only is this a more compassionate approach to care, but it’s also an effective one. Here’s what we’ve observed:
- After 6 months, Ophelia patients are 3 times more likely to still be receiving care than industry benchmarks
- We’re in contact with patients an average of 16 out of the first 30 days of treatment across 70 unique touch points, including SMS and phone calls
- Urine drug screens are 97% opioid-free at the 180-day mark
Getting started with Ophelia
Beginning OUD treatment is a huge step forward, so it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Your care team is with you every step of the way, from the initial intake call where we get to know your needs to getting you started with Suboxone or another buprenorphine-naloxone medication if a prescription is deemed appropriate.
As part of the onboarding process, we’ll walk you through an at-home urinalysis to establish a baseline and help monitor your progress. We don’t believe in punitive testing—instead, we want to be sure the treatment plan we create truly works for you. That means tailoring dosages and appointment schedules as needed to help you stay on track.
When you’re ready to begin treatment, our care team is ready to hear from you.
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