Washington builds on Seattle pilot to deliver addiction treatment statewide, now available non-stop

Seattle, Washington – A statewide extension of a telemedicine service that aims to remove common barriers to care means that people in Washington state can now get same-day medical help for opioid use disorder no matter where they live.

The University of Washington and the Washington State Department of Health have teamed up to make the Washington Telebuprenorphine Hotline available in every county.

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Washington state residents can now talk to a doctor on the same day they call the hotline, either by phone or video. People who are having trouble with opioid use disorder can rapidly reach doctors specialized in addiction therapy by calling just one number.

These doctors can prescribe buprenorphine, a drug that has been shown to minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings while lowering the risk of overdose.

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The initiative started as a pilot project in Seattle and King County in 2024. It was made possible by a partnership between the University of Washington’s Department of Emergency Medicine and Public Health – Seattle & King County. Since it started, more than 1,400 people have already utilized the service, which shows that there is demand and that it works.

State health officials say that expanding the hotline statewide will help people who have trouble getting care, especially those who have to wait a long time, can’t get to a clinic, or have trouble getting there. For some communities, especially those in rural areas, it has been hard to get same-day care through traditional in-person care models.

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Health leaders pointed out that getting treatment on time might be very important. Most people agree that buprenorphine is one of the best drugs for treating substance abuse disorder and stopping deadly overdoses. Officials anticipate that more people will be able to start therapy right away by making it easier to get aid.

“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, 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.”

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The process is meant to be easy and helpful. When someone calls the hotline, they first talk to a linkage-to-care coordinator who does a quick intake and finds treatment alternatives in their area. Then, the caller gets a short telemedicine consultation with an emergency doctor from the University of Washington. After that, the prescription can be sent straight to the pharmacy of the caller’s choice. Within 72 hours, follow-up support is given to help people find long-term care in their area.

Program leaders explain that the goal is not just to start treatment promptly, but also to help people keep getting care beyond their first appointment. The hotline’s goal is to help people stay in recovery rather than just get help once. It does this by directing callers to local medical professionals and services.

“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.”

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The Telebuprenorphine Hotline is open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., even on weekends and holidays. Anyone in Washington state who is 13 years old or older can use the program. The Department of Health pays for the hotline, so it’s free to use and doesn’t charge insurance, which makes it easier for people to get care almost immediately.