Telehealth Medication Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Ask

When you’re managing multiple medications, a simple mistake can lead to serious problems. Dizziness from a drug interaction. A fall because of a side effect you didn’t know about. A hospital visit because your pills weren’t reviewed in months. Telehealth medication reviews are changing how patients and pharmacists catch these issues before they happen - all from your living room. But if you don’t know how to prepare or what to ask, you might miss the chance to make your treatment safer.

Why Telehealth Medication Reviews Matter

In 2024, over 78% of U.S. healthcare systems offered some kind of virtual medication review. That’s not just convenience - it’s safety. Studies show these reviews reduce dangerous drug reactions by nearly 35% in older adults. They catch interactions your pharmacy might miss, fix dosing errors, and cut hospital readmissions by over 20%. For people in rural areas or those with mobility issues, this is often the only way to get expert medication help.

But telehealth isn’t magic. It works best when you show up ready. If you just sit there and say, “I think my pills are weird,” you’ll leave with more questions than answers. The key is knowing what to bring and what to ask.

What to Bring to Your Telehealth Medication Review

Don’t rely on memory. Don’t hope your pharmacy’s list is right. Bring everything - and show it on camera.

• All prescription bottles - even ones you haven’t taken in weeks
• Over-the-counter drugs: pain relievers, sleep aids, heartburn pills
• Vitamins, supplements, and herbal products - yes, even the “natural” ones
• A list of your current symptoms: fatigue, nausea, confusion, swelling, dizziness
• Your most recent lab results: kidney function, liver enzymes, blood sugar levels
• A printed or digital copy of your medication list from your pharmacy or EHR

A 2023 study found that patients who displayed their actual medications during the call improved review accuracy by 37.4%. Why? Because names can be misheard. Bottle labels can be outdated. Seeing the real thing removes guesswork.

What to Ask Your Pharmacist or Provider

You’re not just there to listen. You’re there to get answers. Here are the five most important questions to ask - and why they matter.

1. “How will you verify my medication list against pharmacy records?”

About 43% of medication errors come from inaccurate lists. Your doctor might think you’re on Lisinopril 10mg, but your pharmacy filled you 20mg last month. Or you stopped taking Metformin because of stomach issues, but no one updated the system. Ask how they cross-check your list with pharmacy data, hospital records, and any other sources. If they say, “I’ll just ask you,” push back. That’s not enough.

2. “What’s your process for sharing recommendations with my doctor?”

A review is useless if no one acts on it. Only 63% of telehealth services have a standardized way to send changes to your primary care provider. Ask: Will you email them? Call? Update the electronic record? Can I get a copy of the summary? If they can’t answer clearly, you need to follow up yourself.

3. “Are any of my medications too strong or too old for me now?”

As you age, your body processes drugs differently. A pill that was fine at 55 might be risky at 75. Certain blood pressure meds, sleeping pills, or painkillers can cause falls, confusion, or kidney damage in older adults. Ask specifically about “potentially inappropriate medications” - the kind flagged by guidelines like Beers Criteria. Don’t let them brush it off.

4. “How will you monitor for side effects between appointments?”

Virtual visits can’t feel your pulse or check your swelling. That’s a real gap. Ask: Will you schedule a follow-up call? Will you ask me to report new symptoms? Will you use remote monitoring tools like blood pressure cuffs or glucose meters? If they say, “Just call if something’s wrong,” that’s not a safety plan - it’s a risk.

5. “Are there any medications I can stop safely?”

Many people take pills they don’t need anymore. Antibiotics from years ago. Cholesterol meds after a stent was placed. Sleep aids that became habit. Stopping unnecessary drugs reduces side effects, saves money, and cuts the chance of dangerous interactions. Don’t be afraid to ask this. Pharmacists are trained to spot these opportunities.

What Doesn’t Work Well Virtually

Telehealth is powerful - but not perfect. Some situations still need in-person visits.

• Patients with dementia or severe memory loss who can’t describe symptoms
• Those needing physical exams - like checking for swelling, skin rashes, or muscle weakness
• People on high-risk psychiatric meds like antipsychotics or benzodiazepines - mental status checks need visual cues you can’t always get on video
• Patients over 75 without tech support - 33% of seniors with low digital literacy skip these reviews entirely

If you fall into one of these categories, ask your provider: “Should I still come in for a face-to-face review?” Don’t assume telehealth is always better.

How to Avoid Technical Problems

A frozen screen or bad mic can ruin your review. Make sure you’re ready.

• Test your camera, mic, and internet speed before the appointment - use a free tool like speedtest.net
• Use a quiet, well-lit room. Face the light, not a window
• Have your meds ready and laid out before you join the call
• Have a backup plan: if video fails, can you do a phone call? Will they reschedule?
• Use HIPAA-compliant platforms like Doxy.me or Zoom for Healthcare - never personal Zoom or FaceTime

A 2025 survey found nearly half of negative reviews cited technical issues. Don’t let a glitch cost you your safety.

What to Expect After the Review

Good reviews don’t end when the call does.

• You should get a written summary - either emailed or mailed - listing changes, reasons, and next steps
• There should be a plan for follow-up: a call in two weeks, a lab test in a month
• Your primary care provider should be notified - if they aren’t, you need to call them
• Any new prescriptions should be sent to your pharmacy electronically

If nothing happens after the call, you didn’t get a review - you got a chat. Push for action.

Cost and Insurance

As of 2025, Medicare and most private insurers cover telehealth medication reviews. CMS now has two specific billing codes:

• G2225 - Comprehensive review: $142.37 (covers full medication assessment, lab review, and plan creation)
• G2226 - Targeted review: $78.92 (for focused changes, like adjusting one drug)

Most patients pay nothing out-of-pocket. But check with your insurer. If you’re asked to pay, ask: “Is this covered under G2225 or G2226?”

Final Tip: Make It Part of Your Routine

Don’t wait for a crisis. Schedule a medication review every 6 to 12 months - even if you feel fine. Think of it like a dental checkup, but for your pills. Keep your list updated. Bring your bottles. Ask the hard questions. And if something doesn’t feel right - speak up.

Your meds are powerful. They can heal. They can harm. A telehealth review is your best tool to make sure they’re doing the first - not the second.