August 26, 2026

The Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) has been awarded funding through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) Opioid Settlement Fund to launch and administer I-BEACON (Iowa Buprenorphine Education, Access, and Consultation Network), a new statewide clinical consultation program that will expand access to medication for opioid use disorder by providing healthcare providers with around-the-clock expert consultation and education.

The funding is part of Iowa HHS's competitive grant program established through House File 1038, which directs opioid settlement funds toward evidence-based initiatives that reduce opioid misuse, expand treatment, strengthen recovery services, and improve outcomes for Iowans affected by opioid use disorder.

I-BEACON will provide healthcare professionals in all 99 Iowa counties with 24/7, real-time access to addiction medicine expertise when initiating or managing treatment with buprenorphine, one of the most effective medications available for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The program is designed to increase clinician confidence, reduce delays in treatment, and improve access to evidence-based care, particularly in rural and underserved communities where addiction specialists may be unavailable.

Although Iowa has historically experienced lower opioid overdose death rates than many states, opioid-related deaths have risen significantly in recent years, with illicit fentanyl now involved in approximately 84 percent of opioid-related deaths. At the same time, significant gaps in access to substance use treatment remain across Iowa, particularly in rural communities.

Many healthcare providers have the ability to prescribe buprenorphine but lack immediate access to addiction medicine specialists when faced with complex clinical questions. I-BEACON addresses this challenge by providing real-time consultation from experts, helping providers confidently begin treatment when patients need it most.

"Buprenorphine is one of the most effective tools we have against the opioid epidemic, but too many providers hesitate to prescribe it because they don't have ready access to specialists who can guide them through complex cases," said Dr. Dan McCabe, Medical Director of the Iowa Poison Control Center and medical toxicologist at University of Iowa Health Care. "I-BEACON puts that expertise a phone call away, for any provider in any Iowa county. When we make it easier for clinicians to start patients on treatment, we save lives."

Through I-BEACON, Iowa healthcare providers have access to:

  • 24/7 clinical consultation from specialists
  • Evidence-based guidance on buprenorphine initiation and management
  • Educational resources that increase provider confidence in treating opioid use disorder
  • Expert support regardless of practice setting or geographic location
  • Contact information for local MOUD outpatient providers

"The Iowa Poison Control Center has spent decades providing around-the-clock clinical expertise to healthcare professionals across our state," said Linda B. Kalin, RN, BS, CSPI, Executive Director of the Iowa Poison Control Center. "Through I-BEACON, we're expanding that mission by giving providers immediate access to the guidance they need to confidently begin life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder. This program has the potential to improve care for patients in every corner of Iowa."

As the administrator of the I-BEACON program, the Iowa Poison Control Center is expanding its longstanding role as a statewide clinical resource. By leveraging its existing 24/7 clinical infrastructure and expertise, the center is uniquely positioned to provide healthcare professionals with immediate access to addiction medicine consultation, helping more Iowans receive timely, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder regardless of where they live.

I-BEACON Is Now Available Statewide

I-BEACON is now available to healthcare providers across Iowa, providing 24/7 clinical consultation and support for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Healthcare providers seeking clinical guidance can call 1-800-222-1222 to connect with I-BEACON. Providers can also learn more about the program, available resources and how I-BEACON can support their practice by visiting iowapoison.org/health-care-providers/i-beacon.

About the Iowa Poison Control Center

The Iowa Poison Control Center provides free, confidential, expert poison information, and treatment advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Specialists in Poison Information (SPIs) assist the public and healthcare professionals with poison emergencies, medication safety questions, and toxicology consultation across Iowa. Through innovative statewide programs such as I-BEACON, the Iowa Poison Control Center continues its mission of improving health outcomes by connecting Iowans and healthcare providers with expert clinical guidance whenever it is needed.

For More Information:

For Media Inquiries, contact Christina Anderson: 712-253-6413

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