A Direct-to-Consumer, Virtual Care Approach for Treating Opioid Use Disorder: How Ophelia improves patient engagement and retention to address an opioid crisis exacerbated and complicated by COVID-19

Innovation in the delivery of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment is critical to address the OUD epidemic which has been exacerbated and complicated by COVID-19. While virtual care solutions have proliferated in response, not all are created equal. Ophelia developed its direct-to-consumer (D2C) treatment approach to improve identification of, access to treatment for, and engagement of underserved individuals coming from healthcare deserts and those not otherwise visible to the healthcare system (e.g., rural populations, uninsured populations). Outcome measures show improved patient quality of life, increased patient retention, and success in recruiting formerly underutilized x-waivered clinicians (effectively maximizing waiver patient caps).

Ophelia’s founder, policy advisor, and lead clinicians will discuss the advantages of D2C virtual care. Zack Gray will discuss the design principles underpinning Ophelia’s platform. To support enrollment and treatment goals, the platform utilizes synchronous and asynchronous technology, remote toxicology testing, a custom EHR supporting clinical decision making, and measurement-based care. Dr. Barthwell will review regulatory exceptions that support and enable this approach. Dr. Bisaga will discuss how Ophelia uses nurses and care coordinators working together with prescribing clinicians to form care pods in its adaptation of low threshold, high quality, evidence-based clinical protocols. Dr. Williams will demonstrate the reach and efficacy of a D2C approach, presenting heatmaps of Ophelia’s geographic patient density relative to existing X-waivered clinicians, treatment outcomes, and an analysis of what contributes to high patient satisfaction and retention.

This Vision Session non-CME presentation is taking place during the Rx Summit. The opinions and recommendations expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Rx Summit, Imedex, HMP Global or HMP Education. This program is not intended or eligible for continuing education (CME/CE) credits and does not meet guidelines governing CME/CE. By entering a Vision Session and having your badge scanned, you opt-into share and receive information from industry sponsors. If you wish to opt out, please speak with a conference representative.

This Vision Session is sponsored by Ophelia Health, Inc.