DEA Releases Special Registration Framework, Telehealth Final Rule

Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers who prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) via telehealth received some good news on Wednesday. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a final rule that allows clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine via telehealth or audio-only telehealth visits for up to […]

Addiction Treatment in 2024: Navigating Privacy Challenges, Telehealth Shifts, Reimbursement Reforms

The landscape of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in 2024 was a tapestry of challenges, technological disruptions and unexpected breakthroughs. A staggering data leak exposed the personal information of 100 million patients. Economic pressures forced some SUD providers to retreat from certain state markets, and long-anticipated regulatory changes were once again delayed, leaving the industry […]

Medicaid, Elevated Behavioral Health Utilization Had Payers Talking in Q3

The ongoing need for behavioral health services will be no surprise to anyone involved in the industry. Patients continue to have high rates of need and often present with greater acuity. This demand for behavioral health services was reflected across payers’ Q3 earnings calls. The result? Sky-high utilization levels. For example, David Cordani, the CEO […]

Ophelia’s Playbook: How to Scale Medicaid OUD Treatment

Opioid use disorder (OUD) disproportionately impacts Medicaid beneficiaries, yet structural barriers – including lack of available clinicians – often keep this population from receiving treatment. Virtual OUD treatment provider Ophelia has expanded its Medicaid reach by inking new reimbursement contracts that cover the lives of 3 million New Jersey residents. “We’ve been live and treating […]

The Pitfalls of All-in-One Behavioral Health Services

The allure of being a one-stop-shop for health services is waning for behavioral providers. Instead, we are seeing the rise of partnerships to help with referral pathways and provide specialty care. While there is a drive for more integrated services with a holistic approach, many providers are recognizing their limitations, particularly in the digital space. […]

Thriveworks, Ophelia Join Forces to Address Co-Occurring OUD and Psychiatric Disorders

Patients diagnosed with both opioid use disorder (OUD) and a psychiatric condition can experience decades-long delays before receiving treatment and significant barriers to care.  A new partnership between OUD treatment provider Ophelia and hybrid mental health provider Thriveworks is seeking to provide an accessible pipeline to care for patients with co-occurring OUD and psychiatric disorders. […]

How Ophelia Health Used Edgy Marketing, Patient Testimonials to Drive Engagement

Ophelia Health, a virtual substance use disorder provider responsible for one the industry’s edgiest campaigns, advocates cutting through the noise of industry jargon to help overcome the stigma surrounding addiction. “Addiction is … one of the few diseases that is very misunderstood,” Jenni Friedman, vice president of marketing at Ophelia, said during the Behavioral Health […]

Reframing Behavioral Health Marketing: ‘Not B2B or D2C, It’s Human to Human’

Recently, digital behavioral health companies have significantly shifted their focus from D2C to B2B. However, when marketing these services, the transition between audiences doesn’t require a steep learning curve. Virtual behavioral health provider Talkspace (Nasdaq: TALK) is one of those providers that has doubled down on its B2B efforts, prioritizing payer and enterprise relationships. “It’s […]