Telehealth Medication Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Ask

When you’re managing multiple medications, a telehealth medication review can be a game-changer. It’s not just a quick Zoom call-it’s a structured checkup designed to catch dangerous interactions, simplify your regimen, and make sure every pill you take is still necessary. But if you walk into that virtual appointment unprepared, you might miss the chance to fix something serious. Over 78% of U.S. healthcare systems now offer these reviews, and for good reason: studies show they reduce adverse drug events by up to 34.7% in older adults. Yet, patients who don’t come ready often walk away with more questions than answers. The difference between a helpful review and a wasted hour? Preparation.

What Exactly Is a Telehealth Medication Review?

A telehealth medication review is a virtual meeting with a pharmacist or clinician who specializes in medication safety. Unlike a regular doctor’s visit, this isn’t about diagnosing a new problem-it’s about looking at everything you’re taking, together, and asking: Is this still working? Is it safe? Could something be removed?

These reviews follow a clear process. First, your primary care provider or pharmacy refers you. Then, a trained pharmacist connects with you via a secure video platform like Doxy.me or Zoom for Healthcare. They pull up your full medication history from pharmacy records and your electronic health system-Epic, Cerner, or Meditech. Using clinical decision tools, they scan for interactions, duplicate prescriptions, outdated drugs, or doses that are too high or too low. Then they send clear recommendations back to your doctor. The whole thing usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

It’s not magic. But it’s backed by data. A 2020 study found that patients in nursing homes who got telehealth reviews had 28.6% fewer dangerous drug reactions. Another study showed these reviews cut 30-day hospital readmissions by over 22%. For people with chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, effectiveness rates hit 84.7%.

How to Prepare: Gather Everything Before Your Call

Don’t rely on memory. Don’t hope your pharmacy has the full list. You need to bring your own. Here’s what to collect before your appointment:

• All prescription medications in their original bottles
• All over-the-counter drugs (pain relievers, sleep aids, heartburn meds)
• All vitamins, supplements, and herbal products (even if you think they’re harmless)
• A list of any medications you’ve stopped taking and why
• Your most recent lab results (kidney, liver, blood sugar, cholesterol)
• A written list of your symptoms-especially ones that started after you began a new med

Why does this matter? A 2023 study in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare found that patients who showed their actual meds during the call increased review accuracy by 37.4%. Pharmacists can’t spot a pill they can’t see. A bottle of melatonin labeled “5 mg” might actually contain 10 mg. A bottle of ibuprofen might be expired. These things matter.

Test your tech ahead of time. Make sure your camera works, your internet is stable (at least 1.5 Mbps upload/download), and you know how to share your screen if asked. If you’re not tech-savvy, ask a family member to help set up the call. The National Council on Aging found that seniors who got even 15 minutes of tech training were 68.2% more comfortable with the process.

What to Ask: The 5 Critical Questions

Don’t wait for the pharmacist to lead. You’re the expert on how your body feels. Ask these five questions-no exceptions.

1. “How are you verifying my medication list against pharmacy records?” This is the most important one. Up to 43.2% of medication errors come from incomplete or outdated lists. Pharmacists have access to pharmacy databases, but they don’t always cross-check them. Make sure they pull your full history from multiple sources.
2. “Which of my medications can I stop or reduce?” Many people take pills they no longer need. A 2022 study found that 21% of seniors were on at least one unnecessary drug. Ask for a clear reason why each one is still prescribed.
3. “What are the side effects I should watch for, and what should I do if I notice them?” Don’t just get a list-get a plan. Know what’s normal and what’s dangerous. For example, dizziness from blood pressure meds might mean the dose is too high. Nausea from a new antibiotic might mean you need to switch.
4. “How will you communicate your recommendations to my doctor?” Only 62.8% of telehealth services have a standardized way to send notes to primary care providers. If they say they’ll “just email it,” push for confirmation. Ask if your doctor has received the report within 48 hours.
5. “How will you monitor me between appointments?” Virtual reviews have a blind spot: you’re alone between visits. Ask if they’ll follow up with a phone call, if you’ll get automated alerts for lab tests, or if you should schedule a check-in in 30 days.

These questions aren’t optional. They’re your safety net.

When Telehealth Reviews Fall Short

Telehealth is powerful-but it’s not perfect. There are cases where it can’t replace an in-person visit.

If you have multiple chronic conditions, confusion, mobility issues, or trouble swallowing pills, a pharmacist might miss signs of non-adherence. They can’t see if you’re shaking when you open a bottle. They can’t check for bruising from blood thinners. They can’t feel if your ankles are swollen.

Studies show telehealth reviews are only 58.4% effective for complex geriatric polypharmacy cases and 43.6% effective for psychiatric meds that need full mental status exams. If you’re on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or benzodiazepines, make sure your provider knows if you’re having mood swings, memory lapses, or thoughts of self-harm. If you’re unsure, ask for a hybrid visit: part video, part in-person.

Also, watch for tech problems. A frozen screen during a blood pressure check means lost data. If your connection drops, reschedule immediately. Don’t let a glitch become a safety gap.

What Happens After the Review?

The review doesn’t end when the call does. You should get a written summary-either by email or patient portal-within 24 to 48 hours. It should list:

• Drugs recommended to stop
• Drugs recommended to change (dose, frequency, brand)
• New medications prescribed
• Lab tests needed
• Follow-up plan

Review it carefully. If something doesn’t make sense, call your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t wait. You’re responsible for your own safety.

Some people get a new medication list printed out. Others get a digital version in their pharmacy app. Either way, keep it. Show it to every new provider you see. It’s your medication passport.

Insurance, Cost, and Access

Most insurance plans-including Medicare-cover telehealth medication reviews now. Since November 2024, CMS has two specific billing codes: G2225 for comprehensive reviews ($142.37) and G2226 for targeted reviews ($78.92). If you’re billed directly, ask if the service was coded correctly.

Some pharmacies offer free reviews as part of their care program. Others charge a copay. If you’re unsure, call your insurer and ask: “Do you cover telehealth medication therapy management under my plan?”

Access isn’t equal. People over 75 without digital skills are 32.7% less likely to participate. If you’re struggling, ask your local Area Agency on Aging or senior center-they often offer free tech help for telehealth appointments.

Final Thought: This Is Your Health

Medications are powerful. They can save your life-or hurt you. A telehealth medication review isn’t a formality. It’s a checkpoint. A chance to take control. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be ready.

Bring your bottles. Ask your questions. Follow up. That’s all it takes to turn a virtual appointment into a real safety win.