Telebupe hotline open for same-day addiction care
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 1 day, 3 hours AGO
The Washington Department of Health, alongside Washington State University, has opened its Telebupe Hotline for all Washington residents. The hotline allows people to access same-day addiction care and prescriptions of buprenorphine, a medication that assists with opioid withdrawal. The hotline is available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Department of Health has partnered with the University of Washington to expand the Washington Telesbuprenorphine Hotline to be available statewide. Also known as the Telebupe hotline allows residents to access same-day addiction care and prescription of buprenorphine, a medication that assists with opioid withdrawal, via phone or video by calling 206-289-0287.
“The Grant County Health District fully supports this service,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said. “We believe it’s a free, low-barrier access to treatment for people who may face challenges like long wait times, transportation barriers, lack of insurance and other things that come with living in a rural community.”
The hotline began in 2024 as a pilot program in Seattle and King County. According to WDOH, over 1,400 people have already used the service. The expansion allows people in every county to access the service.
“Buprenorphine saves lives from overdose and is one of the most effective tools we have to treat opioid use disorders,” said WDOH State Health Officer Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett in a statement. “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.”
WDOH said the hotline is designed to provide immediate, short-term support to those who may have trouble accessing the care, otherwise because of long wait times, lack of nearby clinics or transportation challenges.
When a patient calls, the hotline will first connect the subject to a linkage-to-care coordinator who conducts a brief intake. The caller then has a short telehealth visit with a University of Washington Emergency Physician, and a prescription is sent to the caller’s chosen pharmacy. Within 72 hours, staff will follow up and connect the patient to long-term care.
“If someone needs care, we help connect them to providers in their community,” said Program Director for Washington’s Telebupe Hotline, Olivia Hood in a statement. “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 is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Anyone over the age of 13 can call the hotline for free, same-day help. The hotline does not bill insurance.
Telebupe Hotline
206-289-0287
9 a.m.-9 p.m daily