San Francisco-based telemental health provider Cerebral has entered the rapidly expanding field of virtual opioid use disorder treatment with the launch of a new opioid use disorder (OUD) program. The announcement, made in March, highlights Cerebral’s strategic effort to address the growing need for accessible addiction treatment by integrating mental health and substance use disorder services within a single platform.
CEO Kyle Robertson emphasized in a LinkedIn post that the launch is a natural extension of Cerebral’s mission, stating, “mental health and addiction often go hand in hand.” This approach aims to fill gaps in care for individuals managing both mental health challenges and opioid addiction simultaneously—a population often underserved by traditional treatment models.
Initial Rollout In Florida With Plans For Strategic Expansion
Currently, Cerebral’s virtual opioid use disorder treatment program is available only in Florida, marking the company’s entry point into this highly competitive and regulated market. However, the company’s leadership team—comprising Robertson, Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Mou, and New Products and Innovation lead Kelsy Anderson—has indicated plans to expand into additional states in the near future.
While the company has not publicly revealed which states are next, their expansion strategy is informed by two primary factors: the prevalence of opioid use disorder in target states and the regulatory landscape surrounding telehealth-based MAT. This thoughtful approach reflects Cerebral’s intent to maximize impact by focusing on areas with high unmet need while navigating complex state-by-state telemedicine policies.
Data-Driven Prioritization Of States Based On OUD Prevalence And Regulatory Environment
Data from authoritative sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kaiser Family Foundation provide critical insights shaping Cerebral’s expansion plans. According to the CDC’s WONDER Online Database, the states with the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2020 included West Virginia (73.9), Washington D.C. (53.9), Maryland (47.7), Delaware (47.2), and Kentucky (44.3).
Further, Kaiser Family Foundation data from 2018-2019 identified the highest prevalence of residents reporting opioid use disorder within the past year in Washington D.C. (1.8%), Kentucky and Ohio (1.5%), as well as Delaware, Vermont, and Maine (1.3%). These statistics suggest where demand for virtual opioid use disorder treatment services is acute, and likely inform Cerebral’s rollout sequencing.
Navigating A Competitive And Rapidly Growing Virtual MAT Landscape
The virtual MAT market has seen a surge in new entrants over recent years, with startups like Bicycle Health, Minded Inc., Ophelia, and Boulder Care securing significant venture funding. Behavioral Health Business has tracked many of these players, noting the sector’s rapid evolution and intensifying competition.
Despite the crowded field, Cerebral believes it can carve out a distinct position by emphasizing comprehensive care that addresses co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. “We believe that a high-quality mental health care system should be able to treat patients with multiple comorbid diagnoses,” Cerebral said in a joint statement. “The demand for opioid use disorder treatment far surpasses the supply and availability of treatment options today. … We’re grateful that there are other companies also focused on helping to provide care for those struggling with addiction.”
Tackling Clinician Shortages With Investment In Training And Credentialing
A persistent challenge in virtual opioid use disorder treatment provision is the shortage of healthcare providers authorized to prescribe controlled substances required for OUD treatment. To prescribe MAT medications like buprenorphine, clinicians must hold a special certification known as an X-waiver, granted by the federal government under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000.
Currently, only about 5% of the roughly 1.7 million U.S. healthcare providers—including physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and clinical psychologists—have obtained this X-waiver. Even more concerning, approximately 40% of U.S. counties lack a single X-waiver-licensed provider, creating critical access barriers, especially in rural and underserved areas.
To address this, Cerebral is proactively investing in its workforce. The company offers clinicians financial support to complete X-waiver training and has developed a specialized training program in partnership with psychiatrists who are experts in addiction medicine. This initiative aims to expand the pool of qualified prescribers and ensure that the company can meet the growing demand for OUD treatment.
“Cerebral is expanding the supply of trained clinicians by supporting its existing medical professionals to get credentialed and receive additional training in treating those with opioid addiction,” the company stated. “By supporting clinicians in receiving this credential and developing our training program, we’re building the supply of trained clinicians to provide care to this vulnerable population.”
Although Cerebral employs more than 4,600 staff members, the company has not publicly disclosed the exact number of X-waiver-holding clinicians currently on its team.
Strong Financial Backing Fuels Growth And Potential Market Consolidation
Cerebral’s robust financial position bolsters its ability to scale rapidly in the virtual opioid use disorder treatment space. The company closed a $300 million Series C funding round in December, increasing its total capital raised to $462 million and securing a valuation of $4.8 billion. This infusion of capital positions Cerebral well to invest in clinician training, technology, marketing, and potential acquisitions.
While Cerebral declined to comment on any plans to consolidate the virtual MAT market through acquisitions, its financial resources and strategic vision suggest that expanding market share could be on the horizon.
Favorable Regulatory Climate Supports Virtual MAT Expansion
The regulatory environment has played a pivotal role in enabling virtual opioid use disorder treatment providers to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. In March 2020, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporarily waived the longstanding requirement for an in-person examination prior to prescribing controlled substances—including buprenorphine—via telehealth.
This waiver has been crucial to expanding access to OUD treatment remotely, and efforts are underway by some U.S. senators to make the waiver permanent without additional legislation. Cerebral is among over 300 companies and organizations advocating for the extension and modernization of telehealth regulations.
“Cerebral has joined 300 other companies and organizations in encouraging Congress to extend the telehealth waivers and gather data to modernize current telemedicine laws and regulations,” the company said. “We feel strongly that clinicians need to be able to use their independent professional judgment to prescribe medications as needed, especially since data shows a virtual visit can be just as effective as an in-person visit in many cases for behavioral health services.”
Conclusion: Cerebral’s Comprehensive Strategy Poised To Address OUD Care Gaps
By integrating mental health and addiction treatment, investing in clinician training, and leveraging favorable regulatory changes, Cerebral is positioning itself as a major player in the virtual opioid use disorder treatment market. Its data-driven approach to state expansion and focus on addressing clinician shortages tackle two of the most critical barriers to effective opioid use disorder care.
As the demand for accessible, high-quality OUD treatment continues to outpace supply, Cerebral’s new program represents a promising effort to meet this urgent public health need and improve outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction nationwide.
