Telehealth Medication Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Ask

When you’re managing multiple medications - whether for diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic pain - a simple mistake can lead to serious problems. Drug interactions, duplicate prescriptions, or side effects you didn’t know about can sneak up on you. That’s where telehealth medication reviews come in. These virtual check-ins with a pharmacist or provider aren’t just convenient; they’re a proven way to catch errors before they hurt you. In fact, studies show they reduce dangerous drug reactions by more than a third in older adults. But like any tool, they only work if you show up prepared.

Why Telehealth Medication Reviews Matter

More than 78% of U.S. healthcare systems now offer telehealth medication reviews. Why? Because they work. A 2020 study found patients on these virtual reviews had 34.7% fewer adverse drug events than those getting standard care. For people taking five or more medications - common among seniors or those with chronic conditions - this isn’t just helpful. It’s life-saving.

These reviews don’t replace your doctor. They add a layer of safety. Pharmacists specializing in medication therapy management (MTM) use clinical tools to scan your full list of prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. They look for duplicates, dangerous interactions, and doses that are too high or too low. Then they send clear recommendations to your doctor. The whole process happens over video - no travel, no waiting rooms, no missed work.

What You Need to Do Before Your Appointment

Most people walk into a telehealth appointment with their phone in hand and hope for the best. That’s a mistake. The difference between a good review and a great one? Preparation.

• Collect every medication you take. This includes pills, patches, inhalers, eye drops, vitamins, herbal supplements, and even over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or melatonin. Don’t rely on memory. Open your medicine cabinet, purse, or nightstand drawer and lay everything out.
• Bring the original bottles or packaging. Pharmacists need to see the exact name, strength, and dosage instructions. A bottle says “Lisinopril 10mg,” but your app says “Lisinopril 20mg.” That’s a red flag they can catch - if they can see the label.
• Write down your symptoms. Are you dizzy after taking your blood pressure pill? Has your sleep changed since starting a new antidepressant? Write down when it happens, how often, and what you were doing. These details matter more than you think.
• 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 join the video call. Platforms like Doxy.me or Zoom for Healthcare are HIPAA-compliant and secure. If you’re not tech-savvy, ask a family member to help you set it up the day before.
• Have your pharmacy info ready. Know the name and phone number of your main pharmacy. Some telehealth providers can’t access your pharmacy records unless you give them permission or share your details.

A 2023 study showed patients who brought all their meds to a telehealth review had 37.4% more accurate assessments. That’s not a small boost. It’s the difference between a review that just checks a box - and one that actually protects you.

Questions You Must Ask During the Review

Don’t let the pharmacist do all the talking. You’re the expert on how your body feels. Ask these five questions - no matter how simple they seem.

1. “How will you make sure my medication list matches what my pharmacy has on file?” Forty-three percent of medication errors come from outdated or mismatched lists. If they’re not pulling data from your pharmacy’s system, they’re guessing.
2. “Which of my medications are absolutely necessary, and which could I stop?” Many people take drugs they no longer need. A review can help you safely taper off things like old painkillers, unused antibiotics, or supplements that don’t do anything.
3. “What side effects should I watch for between now and our next check-in?” Some reactions take days or weeks to show up. Know what’s normal and what’s not. For example, if you’re on a statin and suddenly feel muscle pain, that’s not just fatigue - it’s a warning sign.
4. “How will you share your recommendations with my doctor?” Only 63% of telehealth services have a clear, automatic way to send updates to your primary care provider. If they say they’ll “email” or “call,” ask for a written summary you can keep.
5. “What happens if I have a problem after this appointment?” Do you call a nurse line? Text a portal? Get a callback within 24 hours? Know the safety net. Purely virtual reviews have a 28.6% higher risk of missed side effects if there’s no clear follow-up plan.

These aren’t just questions. They’re your rights. You’re paying for a service that’s meant to keep you safe. If the provider can’t answer clearly, it’s time to find someone else.

When Telehealth Falls Short

Telehealth medication reviews are powerful - but not perfect. They struggle with certain cases. If you have:

• Multiple chronic conditions with unstable symptoms
• Signs of confusion, memory loss, or mood swings that might be drug-related
• Difficulty swallowing pills or using inhalers
• Unexplained falls or dizziness that could be from medication

Then a video call might not be enough. A 2021 study found telehealth reviews had a 17.3% higher chance of missing problems in patients with complex health needs. In these cases, you still need an in-person visit - maybe with your doctor, maybe with a home health nurse. Don’t let convenience override safety.

Also, if you’re over 75 and not comfortable with technology, you’re at higher risk of being left out. About 33% of seniors in that age group don’t participate in telehealth because they don’t know how to use it. If that’s you, ask your clinic if they offer phone-based reviews or in-home support.

What Happens After the Review

The review doesn’t end when the video call does. You should get a written summary - either emailed or mailed - that lists:

• Changes made to your meds (additions, deletions, dose adjustments)
• Reasons for each change
• Follow-up instructions
• Contact info for questions

Keep this document. Share it with your doctor. Put it in your wallet or phone notes. If you’re prescribed a new medication, ask for a printed handout on what to expect. Don’t rely on memory.

Also, track your response. Did your energy improve? Did the headaches stop? Did you feel less anxious? Write it down. That feedback helps your pharmacist adjust your plan next time.

How This Fits Into Your Long-Term Health Plan

Telehealth medication reviews aren’t a one-time fix. They’re part of a larger safety system. Think of them like an annual car tune-up - except for your pills. You wouldn’t drive a car for years without checking the brakes. Why do the same with your medications?

With Medicare and private insurers now paying for these reviews (codes G2225 and G2226), they’re becoming standard care. And the future is even brighter: health systems are starting to link them with smart scales, blood pressure cuffs, and glucose monitors that send data automatically. Imagine your pharmacist seeing your blood pressure spike on Tuesday and calling you Wednesday - before you even feel sick.

But none of that matters if you don’t show up ready. Gather your meds. Ask the hard questions. Speak up when something doesn’t feel right. Your life depends on it - not on the technology, but on your willingness to take control.