The CMS issues opioid prescription policies for patients receiving Medicare Part D benefits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policies, which took effect in January, include such safety alerts as a seven-day limit for patients who have not recently filled an opioid prescription and a threshold of 90 cumulative morphine milligram equivalents per day. In addition, access to opioids and benzodiazepines for high-risk patients may be limited. These restrictions-which don't apply to residents of long-term care facilities, patients in hospice care, or those experiencing cancer pain-may be overridden if a prescriber deems prolonged use or higher doses necessary. Access to medication-assisted treatment, such as buprenorphine, will not be affected (see http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovContra).