---
title: Resource Library | Pain Management
description: Pain Management | The Resource Library offers a broad spectrum of resources and actionable insights to help you manage your healthcare business, increase patient safety, and help your practice thrive.
---

- [Sign In](https://secure.proassurance.com?hsLang=en-us)
- g

Search Site

[Contact Us](https://www.proassurance.com/contact-us/?hsLang=en-us): **844-466-7225**

[![PRA-MMI-Logo®-RGB](https://www.norcal-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PRA-MMI-Logo%C2%AE-RGB.png?width=215&height=62&name=PRA-MMI-Logo%C2%AE-RGB.png)](https://www.norcal-group.com?hsLang=en-us)

 

- [About](https://norcal-group.com/about) 
    - [About Us](https://norcal-group.com/about)
- [Coverages](https://norcal-group.com/state)
- [Claims](https://www.proassurance.com/report-a-claim/)
- [Resources](https://www.norcal-group.com/resources) 
    - [HIPAA Resources](https://proassurance.com/hipaa)
    - [Website Accessibility](https://proassurance.com/accessibility)
- [Pay](https://www.norcal-group.com/pay)

# [Resource Library](https://www.norcal-group.com/library)

## [Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain: Case Studies and Best Practices](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/opioid-prescribing-for-chronic-pain-case-studies-and-best-practices)

 April 27, 2023

[![](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Opioid%20Abuse%20Infographic%20-%20Full.jpg) ](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/opioid-prescribing-for-chronic-pain-case-studies-and-best-practices)

More than 68,000 Americans died of opioid-involved overdose in 2020—a 37.6 percent increase over 2019, and the largest yearly increase in opioid-involved overdose deaths in two decades.1,* A total of 16,416 (23.9 percent) of those deaths involved prescription opioids.1 Approximately 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them,2 and between 8 and 12 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain will develop an opioid use disorder (OUD).2 It’s no surprise, then, that overdose death involving opioids is referred to as “a public health emergency” and an epidemic.3,4

[Learn More »](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/opioid-prescribing-for-chronic-pain-case-studies-and-best-practices) 

 Filed under: [Pain Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management), [Best Practices](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/best-practices), [Practice Manager](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/practice-manager), [Physician](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/physician), [Opioids](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/opioids), [Patient Care](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/patient-care), [Medication Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/medication-management), [Claims Rx](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/claims-rx)

## [Strategies for Tapering Patients off Long-Term Opioid Therapy](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/strategies-for-tapering-patients-off-long-term-opioid-therapy)

 October 14, 2022

[![](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/worried-man-in-pain_soc.jpg) ](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/strategies-for-tapering-patients-off-long-term-opioid-therapy)

In 2016, the CDC released a clinical practice guideline for primary care physicians prescribing opioids for chronic pain,1 which was adopted by various entities, including Medicaid agencies and insurers.2 However, according to the CDC and others, the guideline has been misinterpreted and misapplied. An example of a misapplication concern involves the management of patients with chronic pain, which are not intended to follow the same guidelines as those patients being initiated on opioids.

In the years since the 2016 Guideline came out, the CDC and others have published reports, commentaries, and guidelines intended to reduce some of the confusion surrounding pain management in patients for whom opioid therapy is appropriate. In November 2022, the CDC also released their new [Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain](https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/healthcare-professionals/prescribing/guideline/at-a-glance.html), which updates and replaces the 2016 Guideline.

[Learn More »](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/strategies-for-tapering-patients-off-long-term-opioid-therapy) 

 Filed under: [Pain Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management), [Case Study](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/case-study), [Physician](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/physician), [Opioids](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/opioids), [Patient Care](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/patient-care), [Medication Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/medication-management), [Claims Rx](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/claims-rx)

## [Optimizing Opioid Therapy for Patients with Behavioral Health Disorders](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/optimizing-opioid-therapy-for-patients-with-behavioral-health-disorders)

 October 14, 2022

[![](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/doctor-consoling-a-distraught-patient_soc.jpg) ](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/optimizing-opioid-therapy-for-patients-with-behavioral-health-disorders)

According to the CDC, chronic pain is a risk factor for suicidality.1,2,3 Studies indicate several additional factors as potential predicators of increased suicide risk in chronic pain patients, including depression, anger, unemployment/disability, harmful health habits, challenging personal and family history, sleep problems, poor perceived mental health, and multiple chronic pain conditions. Newly identified psychosocial factors, including pain catastrophizing, hopelessness, and perceived burdensomeness also appear to be associated with suicidality.2 On a positive note, many suicide risk factors can be addressed through an individualized chronic pain management program.2

[Learn More »](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/optimizing-opioid-therapy-for-patients-with-behavioral-health-disorders) 

 Filed under: [Pain Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management), [Case Study](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/case-study), [Physician](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/physician), [Opioids](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/opioids), [Patient Care](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/patient-care), [Medication Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/medication-management), [Claims Rx](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/claims-rx)

## [Reducing Opioid Overdose Risk in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/reducing-opioid-overdose-risk-in-patients-with-opioid-use-disorder)

 October 14, 2022

[![](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/hands-handling-excessive-number-of-pills_soc.jpg) ](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/reducing-opioid-overdose-risk-in-patients-with-opioid-use-disorder)

Any patient can develop OUD and patients with OUD are at higher risk for overdose.1 Personal history, length of therapy, and dosage play a role in the development of OUD.2 A physician’s effectiveness in treating the underlying cause of a patient’s pain can be a crucial aspect of the defense in an opioid overdose case.

[Learn More »](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/reducing-opioid-overdose-risk-in-patients-with-opioid-use-disorder) 

 Filed under: [Pain Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management), [Case Study](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/case-study), [Physician](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/physician), [Opioids](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/opioids), [Patient Care](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/patient-care), [Medication Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/medication-management), [Claims Rx](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/claims-rx)

## [Decreasing Opioid Overdose Risk for New Patients on High-Dose Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/decreasing-opioid-overdose-risk-for-new-patients-on-high-dose-opioid-therapy)

 January 19, 2018

[![](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/doctor-giving-patient-mediction_soc.jpg) ](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/decreasing-opioid-overdose-risk-for-new-patients-on-high-dose-opioid-therapy)

The most conservative addiction and overdose prevention policies and procedures can’t protect a primary care clinician from inheriting a patient who is taking high doses of opioids for chronic pain. In many cases, because of the patient’s limited resources or the limited number of specialists in the community, primary care clinicians are expected to satisfy the patient’s needs for specialty care, including pain management, mental health, and physical therapy. Although there is no perfect solution for clinicians faced with these challenging patients, the following recommendations can decrease the risk of overdose and increase the chance that patients can be transitioned to safer pain management:*

[Learn More »](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/decreasing-opioid-overdose-risk-for-new-patients-on-high-dose-opioid-therapy) 

 Filed under: [Pain Management Specialist](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management-specialist), [Pain Management](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management), [Prescribing & Medication](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/prescribing-medication), [Best Practices](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/best-practices), [Physician](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/physician), [Opioids](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/opioids)

|  |  \|  | [Next >](https://www.norcal-group.com/library/topic/pain-management/page/2) |
| --- | --- | --- |

###  Topics 

Please select Bad Outcomes & Complications Business Continuity Business Operations Community Health Consultations Cosmetic & Reconstructive Procedures Cultural Competency & Cultural Respect Cybersecurity Diagnosis & Testing Digital Practice Electronic Health Records (EHR) General Liability HIPAA Privacy & Confidentiality Industry Trends Information Security Informed Consent Leadership Litigation & Claims Marketing & Practice Building Medical Errors & Apology Medical Ethics Medical Records & Documentation Medication Errors Opioids Pain Management Patient Communication Patient Relationship Personal Finance & Career Philanthropy & Community Involvement Physician Burnout Physician Ratings Physician Wellness Practice Communication Practice Drift Practice Management Prescribing & Medication Public Relations & Communication Regulation & Compliance Reputation Management Unanticipated Outcomes Vicarious Liability

###  Specialties 

Please select Emergency Medicine Family Practice Mental & Behavioral Health Obstetrics & Gynecology Oncology Ophthalmology Orthopedics Pain Management Specialist Pediatrics Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Radiology

### Recently Added

Interested in NORCAL Group?

**Contact Your Agent/Broker** or call 844.4NORCAL today

* NORCAL Group, now part of ProAssurance, includes NORCAL Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

[![AM Best](https://www.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Norcal_Mutual_Images/graphic_am-best.png)](https://www.norcal-group.com/ambest?hsLang=en-us)

- [About](https://norcal-group.com/about) 
    - [About Us](https://norcal-group.com/about)
- [Coverages](https://norcal-group.com/state)
- [Claims](https://www.proassurance.com/report-a-claim/)
- [Resources](https://www.norcal-group.com/resources) 
    - [HIPAA Resources](https://proassurance.com/hipaa)
    - [Website Accessibility](https://proassurance.com/accessibility)
- [Pay](https://www.norcal-group.com/pay)

© 2001 - 2024 ProAssurance  
All rights reserved

- [844-466-7225 ](tel:18444667225)
- [Privacy Policy](https://proassurancegroup.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.norcal-group.com/terms?hsLang=en-us)
- [Website Accessibility](https://www.norcal-group.com/accessibility?hsLang=en-us)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "InsuranceAgency",
  "contactPoint" : {
    "@type" : "ContactPoint",
    "contactType" : "customer service",
    "telephone" : "1.844.466.7225"
  },
  "description" : "The NORCAL Group of companies provide medical professional liability insurance to physicians, health care extenders, medical groups, hospitals, community clinics and allied health care facilities throughout the country.",
  "foundingDate" : "1975-01-01",
  "foundingLocation" : "California",
  "legalName" : "NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company",
  "logo" : "https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Website/Logos/NORCAL-Group-Logo-X-18.png",
  "name" : "NORCAL Group",
  "potentialAction" : {
    "@type" : "SearchAction",
    "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string",
    "target" : "http://www.norcal-group.com/search?search={search_term_string}"
  },
  "subOrganization" : [ "Medicus", "FD Insurance", "NORCAL Specialty Insurance Company", "PMSLIC" ],
  "url" : "http://www.norcal-group.com"
}
```