The New Path Forward for Opioid Prescribing September 13, 2023 Hot Topics The Medical Board’s new opioid prescribing guidelines empower physicians to rely on clinical judgment and patient relationships when prescribing opioids for pain management. Instead of treating opioids as a “last resort” in pain management, physicians are encouraged to weigh the benefits and risks of opioid treatment on a case-by-case basis. The ACCMA staff has developed a summary of the updated guidelines for the purpose of providing an overview to ACCMA members of the changes by the Medical Board of California to their opioid prescribing guidelines. This is not intended as clinical guidance or legal advice and ACCMA members are advised to review the Medical Board guidelines in their entirety. Summary of the updated guidelines (from the ACCMA) Updated Opioid Prescribing Guidelines from the Medical Board of California