A New Era of Substance Use Recovery
In today’s rapidly evolving behavioral health landscape, Boulder Care stands out as a leader in reimagining substance use disorder (SUD) care. Based in Portland, Oregon, this innovative company offers a digital addiction treatment platform that bridges the gap between telehealth services and local, in-person support. It addresses two critical challenges: providing care that can’t be delivered virtually, and preparing for potential shifts in telehealth regulations requiring in-person visits to start treatment.
The result is a model that combines flexibility, community engagement, and strong clinical oversight. Boulder Care’s partnerships have become the cornerstone of its growth—roughly 80% of its patients come through these alliances or organic means. “We’re working with partners to help meet people where they are,” said CEO and founder Stephanie Strong. This patient-centered philosophy fuels both expansion and better health outcomes, making Boulder Care a standout digital addiction treatment platform.
Building Strong Community Partnerships
Boulder Care’s growth isn’t just about scale—it’s about relationships. In November, the company entered a strategic partnership with EvergreenHealth, a Seattle-based public health system. Through this agreement, Boulder Care became the dedicated outpatient SUD provider for the system, offering both virtual treatment and local access for services that require in-person care.
Beyond large healthcare systems, Boulder Care also collaborates with recovery community organizations—grassroots nonprofits led by individuals in recovery. These partners offer peer support, housing assistance, and job readiness programs, all critical to long-term recovery but outside clinical care.
By teaming up with these organizations, Boulder Care creates a recovery ecosystem that addresses both clinical and nonclinical needs. This partnership strategy is a major differentiator, turning Boulder into a digital addiction treatment platform that doesn’t exist in a silo—it thrives in connection with real-world support systems.
High-Quality MAT, Delivered Virtually
At the core of Boulder Care’s virtual services is medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Through its mobile app, patients receive ongoing care that includes medications such as Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) for opioid use and naltrexone (Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral), and others for alcohol addiction.
But this digital addiction treatment platform doesn’t stop at prescriptions. Patients are connected with multidisciplinary care teams—doctors, nurses, peer coaches, and behavioral health specialists—who work together to deliver personalized care plans. Regular video visits, secure messaging, and medication management all happen within the app, providing a high-touch experience from the comfort of home.
By blending medical expertise with digital convenience, Boulder Care proves that a digital addiction treatment platform can be just as clinically effective as in-person care—often more accessible and scalable.
A Medicaid-First Business Model
While many digital health startups focus on commercially insured or self-pay patients, Boulder Care made a bold choice to center its business around Medicaid. Over 85% of its patients are Medicaid beneficiaries, a group historically underserved in both traditional and digital healthcare settings.
Boulder Care operates in 15 states and maintains contracts with dozens of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). These agreements often follow value-based care models, where Boulder is rewarded for improving outcomes and reducing costs, not just for delivering services. This commitment to Medicaid not only broadens access but also shows that a digital addiction treatment platform can work at scale for high-need populations.
“We’re really energized by the mission of helping to bring care to people who typically are excluded from other programs,” Strong said. That mission is embedded in every part of the business—from tech development to payer contracting—and it’s paying off.
Pandemic-Driven Momentum
The COVID-19 pandemic was a tipping point for virtual care, and Boulder Care was ready to meet the moment. As many brick-and-mortar providers shut down or limited services, Boulder’s digital addiction treatment platform quickly became a lifeline for patients in need.
“We told our board this is a great opportunity,” Strong said. “The people who are the most underserved today are also the ones who have the most complex healthcare needs.”
The surge in demand led to rapid expansion, especially among Medicaid populations who couldn’t access traditional care. Boulder Care saw this not as a short-term gain but as confirmation that its model—rooted in virtual care, community partnerships, and payer alignment—could serve as a national standard for digital addiction treatment.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
As emergency policies around telehealth begin to expire, Boulder Care is preparing for a new regulatory environment. One major concern is the potential reintroduction of in-person requirements before starting telehealth-based treatment—an obstacle that could severely limit access for many.
“A lot of the requirements that states are starting to enact are just going to prohibit people from getting care at all,” Strong said. That’s why Boulder is actively lobbying at both the state and federal levels to maintain flexibility for virtual SUD treatment.
Strong has served as an advisor to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, advocating for regulations that support sustainable, effective care. This kind of policy engagement is critical to preserving the future of the digital addiction treatment platform model Boulder Care has championed.
Investors See the Vision
Boulder Care’s innovation hasn’t gone unnoticed by the investment community. The company has raised over $50 million to date, including $36 million in a Series B round in June. Backers include Qiming Venture Partners, Laerdal Million Lives Fund, and Tusk Ventures.
Strong shared that Boulder Care is working with a strategic investor and may raise additional funds to continue scaling. The fact that a digital addiction treatment platform with a Medicaid-first model can attract this level of capital proves that socially responsible innovation can also be financially sustainable.
A Blueprint for the Future
Boulder Care is more than a treatment provider—it’s a movement redefining how we think about addiction care. By combining virtual MAT, local partnerships, and value-based Medicaid relationships, the company has created a model that’s equitable, effective, and scalable.
In a healthcare industry dominated by siloed solutions and fragmented systems, Boulder Care offers a refreshing alternative. Its digital addiction treatment platform is not just about apps or automation—it’s about building real connections, empowering underserved communities, and delivering care that works.
As more providers and payers look for ways to expand access and improve outcomes, Boulder Care stands as a blueprint for the future—a future where every person struggling with addiction can get the help they need, wherever they are.
