Ria Health, a leading digital health provider focused on alcohol use disorder (AUD), has announced a strategic partnership with Magellan Healthcare to expand access to its services for California residents. The partnership enables eligible members to receive evidence-based, Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment from the comfort of their homes—an increasingly vital option as the demand for behavioral health services continues to rise.
Based in San Francisco, Ria Health provides remote medical care and coaching through a secure digital platform. With one-on-one support, medication-assisted treatment, and real-time tracking tools, Ria empowers users to reduce or eliminate their alcohol consumption without attending traditional in-person rehab. Under this new agreement, Magellan Healthcare members in California can now benefit from this Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment model.
How the Ria Health Model Works
Ria Health’s approach to care is centered around accessibility, privacy, and clinically validated outcomes. Users begin their treatment journey by connecting with licensed physicians through secure video chat. These physicians assess each individual’s needs and may prescribe FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone or acamprosate, which are known to help manage cravings and support moderation or abstinence.
To support accountability and self-monitoring, patients are provided with a breathalyzer that syncs to Ria’s smartphone app. Daily readings help users and clinicians track blood alcohol content (BAC) over time. This tech-driven aspect of Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment allows for real-time adjustments to care plans and more personalized support from Ria’s clinical and coaching teams. Medications are dispensed through local pharmacies, ensuring convenience and continuity of care.
Evidence-Based Results from Digital Treatment
The data speaks for itself. According to Ria Health, the average patient using its Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment program sees a 75% reduction in their BAC over six months, dropping from 0.09 to 0.03. Additionally, users report a doubling of non-drinking days per week within 180 days of engagement. Medication adherence, a key challenge in chronic care management, reaches nearly 80% at the one-year mark—an impressive figure in any treatment setting.
“Our program is clinically proven to help people reduce harmful drinking,” said Tom Nix, CEO of Ria Health. “We are committed to making recovery more accessible for the millions of Americans affected by alcohol misuse.” These positive outcomes are especially meaningful at a time when alcohol consumption is on the rise.
Pandemic Fueled Demand for Remote Addiction Support
Ria Health experienced a 500% increase in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, a surge that reflects broader national trends in alcohol use. A Nielsen survey reported that alcohol sales increased 54% in the week ending March 21, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Binge drinking has also escalated; the journal Hepatology found a 21% increase across the country as pandemic-related stress and isolation took hold.
Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment emerged as a crucial lifeline during this time, helping individuals access care without the risks or obstacles associated with in-person visits. The pandemic revealed long-standing gaps in addiction services and underscored the need for innovative solutions that can adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.
National Cost of Alcohol Misuse and the Urgency of Scalable Care
The societal and financial toll of excessive alcohol use is staggering. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol misuse costs the United States $249 billion annually and affects nearly 15 million individuals. Despite these numbers, many people do not seek help—often due to stigma, cost, or lack of access to services.
Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment offers a viable alternative for those who may not connect with traditional rehab or who prefer a flexible, at-home approach. Ria Health’s model helps close the treatment gap, especially for individuals with moderate to severe AUD who require medical intervention but not full-time residential care.
Magellan and Centene Strengthen Behavioral Health Capabilities
This partnership follows Magellan Health’s $2.2 billion acquisition by Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a move that added 41 million members to Centene’s behavioral health platform. With its expanded reach and resources, Magellan is well-positioned to scale innovative solutions like Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment across its network.
“Even before the pandemic, we were seeing the increased need for mental health and addiction services,” said Caroline Carney, president of behavioral health for Magellan Healthcare and chief medical officer at Magellan Health. “Now, we are beginning to learn the true impact of the pandemic through both survey and utilization data that show increases in problematic drinking and medical complications of drinking.”
This data-driven insight reinforces the importance of timely, accessible care—and partnerships like this one help translate that urgency into action.
A New Chapter for Digital Recovery Services
By offering Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment through Magellan Healthcare, Ria Health is setting a new standard for how AUD can be addressed in the modern age. Their tech-enabled care platform is designed to meet people where they are, providing continuous support, measurable progress, and medical oversight—all without requiring patients to step into a clinic or facility.
This type of treatment model is more than just convenient; it’s transforming outcomes and reducing barriers for millions of people who need help. As healthcare continues to evolve toward digital-first solutions, the collaboration between Ria and Magellan may serve as a blueprint for what scalable, patient-centered addiction care looks like.
Looking Ahead
The rise of Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment reflects a broader shift in the behavioral health landscape. As more providers embrace technology and as payers support digital models of care, individuals struggling with alcohol misuse will have more options than ever before.
By combining clinical rigor with tech-enabled convenience, Ria Health and Magellan Healthcare are not just responding to a crisis—they’re reimagining what recovery can look like.
