Talkspace and Bicycle Health expand virtual care access for opioid use disorder patients

Talkspace, America’s largest telemedicine-based therapy provider covered by insurance, has joined forces with Bicycle Health, a leading telemedicine program for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, in a partnership aimed at expanding virtual care access. Through this collaboration, Talkspace patients will benefit from increased access to specialised care for opioid use disorder, including medication treatment, therapists, and recovery coaches with expertise in OUD. Conversely, Bicycle Health patients will gain access to therapists beyond substance use disorder, such as those specialising in marriage and family therapy, along with asynchronous therapeutic chat services. This strategic alliance addresses the challenges hindering treatment-seeking behaviour, including stigma, limited access to licensed therapists, and affordability, particularly for the 7.7 million Americans facing co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorder.

The collaboration comes at a critical juncture, given that over half of the 7.7 million Americans facing co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorder do not receive treatment for either. Talkspace and Bicycle Health have established themselves as leaders in the telemedicine space, with Talkspace boasting a network of over 5,000 licensed clinicians serving individuals across all 50 states and Bicycle Health having provided telemedicine OUD treatment to over 33,000 patients across 32 states. This partnership aims to centralise care access, making treatment more convenient, affordable, and accessible for individuals seeking support for co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorder.

Dr. Brian Clear, Chief Medical Officer at Bicycle Health, emphasised the holistic approach to care, stating, "Opioid use disorder does not exist in a vacuum. We consider the whole person and their environment when recommending the right care plan to help them achieve stable, lasting recovery." The collaboration allows Bicycle Health to connect its patients quickly and reliably to Talkspace therapists, providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to address not only addiction but also co-existing behavioural conditions such as depression and anxiety.