Washington expands same-day hotline access for opioid use disorder treatment

OLYMPIA –  Washington residents can now access same-day medical treatment for opioid use disorder statewide through an expanded telehealth hotline operated by the Washington State Department of Health in partnership with the University of Washington.

The Washington Telebuprenorphine Hotline, known as Telebupe, now provides same-day treatment by phone or video to people in every county. Residents can call 206-289-0287 to connect with trained emergency physicians who can prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.

The expansion was announced Tuesday by the Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington.

Telebupe launched in 2024 as a pilot program involving Public Health - Seattle & King County and the UW Department of Emergency Medicine. Since then, more than 1,400 people have used the service, according to DOH.

Under the program, callers first speak with a linkage-to-care coordinator who completes a brief intake and identifies local treatment resources. The caller then has a telehealth visit with a UW emergency physician. If appropriate, a buprenorphine prescription is sent to the caller’s chosen pharmacy. Program staff follow up within 72 hours to help connect patients with longer-term care.

“Buprenorphine saves lives from overdose and is one of the most effective tools we have to treat opioid use disorder,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, state health officer for DOH. “Expanding the Telebupe Hotline is an important step towards giving people with opioid use disorder timely and compassionate care no matter where they live in our state.”

DOH said the statewide expansion is intended to improve access for people who face barriers such as long wait times, lack of nearby clinics or transportation challenges.

“If someone needs care, we help connect them to providers in their community,” said Olivia Hood, program director for Washington’s Telebupe Hotline. “This expansion helps save lives across the state by making it easier for people to start or continue buprenorphine as well as get the care they need to begin their path to recovery.”

The hotline operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round. Anyone in Washington age 13 or older can call for same-day assistance. The service is funded by DOH, is free to users and does not bill insurance.