WALTHAM, Massachusetts — Eleanor Health (Eleanor), a virtual-first addiction treatment provider is officially expanding services into New Mexico as of today. To best meet the needs of residents of The Land of Enchantment, the Eleanor team is working to transform the quality, delivery, and accessibility of substance use disorder care, especially among vulnerable populations. Starting today, Eleanor’s whole person care model will be available virtually across the state.
Eleanor provides whole-person, evidence-based care to adults seeking help for substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid, alcohol, and stimulant use disorders such as methamphetamine. Eleanor’s approach integrates medications for addiction treatment (MAT) and psychotherapy to assist individuals with their recovery journey. Eleanor Health takes a non-punitive, person-centered approach, supporting members through continued substance use rather than discharging them, and consistently strives to involve individuals in decisions about their care.
According to the New Mexico legislature, the state has the highest alcohol-related mortality rate in the country and is sixth for overdose deaths related to substance use. To reverse these dreadful trends, the state is investing more than $245 million annually for behavioral health services through the Behavioral Health Collaborative. This is in addition to the nearly $800 million in funding to the state’s Medicaid program, the primary funding source for behavioral health services in New Mexico.
“New Mexico has taken meaningful steps toward improving behavioral health access, yet like many states, still faces challenges in ensuring everyone has access to high-quality, compassionate addiction care,” said William McKinney, CEO of Eleanor Health. “We’re proud to bring our virtual care model to communities across the state—especially in rural or underserved areas—so more people can access stigma-free support, whenever and wherever they need it.”
Recovery at Eleanor begins with a free call to understand a potential member’s health concerns, barriers to care, and insurance coverage. If it’s a good fit, the first appointment is scheduled, often within two days or sooner. At the initial appointment, members meet with a physician or nurse practitioner to assess symptoms and begin collaborative care planning to define treatment goals. The initial medical appointment is followed by a comprehensive intake process that includes meeting with a licensed therapist. Depending on the member’s needs and preferences, the care journey includes a combination of medications for addiction and other psychiatric health conditions, individual and/or group therapy, health coaching, and care coordination.
