Telehealth Medication Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Ask

What Exactly Is a Telehealth Medication Review?

A telehealth medication review is a virtual appointment with a pharmacist or doctor to go over all the medicines you’re taking - prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements. It’s not just a quick check-in. It’s a full audit of your drug list to spot dangerous interactions, duplicate prescriptions, or pills you don’t even need anymore. This isn’t science fiction. In 2024, 78% of U.S. healthcare systems were already doing this. And it works. One study found elderly patients who got these reviews had 34.7% fewer dangerous side effects from their meds.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Most people don’t realize how messy their medication list can get. You see your GP once a year. Your pharmacist fills your scripts but doesn’t know about the painkiller your daughter gave you. The sleep aid you started last winter? The magnesium supplement your friend swore by? These add up. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices says 43.2% of medication errors come from inaccurate or incomplete lists. That’s not a small risk. That’s a real chance you could end up in the hospital because someone didn’t know you were taking five things that shouldn’t be mixed.

How to Get Ready for Your Appointment

Showing up with your meds in hand isn’t optional - it’s the single biggest thing you can do to make this work. A 2023 study showed that when patients brought all their pills to the video call, the accuracy of the review jumped by 37.4%. Don’t just list them. Bring the actual bottles. That way, the pharmacist can see the exact names, dosages, and instructions. Write down when you take each one. Note if you’ve skipped doses, felt weird after taking something, or stopped a medicine because it made you dizzy.

Test your tech before the call. You need a stable internet connection (at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download), a working webcam, and a quiet room. Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me, and other HIPAA-compliant platforms are standard. If your video freezes or the audio cuts out, you won’t be able to show your pills clearly. And if you can’t show your pills, they can’t help you.

What to Ask During Your Review

You’re not just there to listen. You need to ask the right questions. Here are the three that matter most:

1. "How will you check my list against what my pharmacies have on file?" This is critical. Many people get duplicate prescriptions because different doctors don’t talk to each other. A pharmacist should cross-check your list with pharmacy records. If they say they’ll just ask you, that’s not enough.
2. "What happens after this call? Who tells my GP or specialist?" Only 62.8% of telehealth services have a clear way to send recommendations to your main doctor. If your pharmacist spots a problem but no one else knows, nothing changes. Ask for a written summary to be sent to your GP - and follow up to make sure it arrived.
3. "How will you know if I’m having side effects between now and the next visit?" Virtual reviews can’t see you turn pale or feel shaky. They rely on you to report changes. Ask if they’ll text you a quick check-in in a week. Or if they’ll set up alerts for lab results that might show kidney or liver stress from your meds.

What They Won’t Tell You - The Limits of Virtual Reviews

Telehealth is great for most people. But it’s not perfect. If you’re over 75, have four or more chronic conditions, or take more than five medications, you might need more than a video call. A 2021 study found that 17.3% of complex cases had incomplete assessments because the pharmacist couldn’t check your balance, skin condition, or whether you’re swallowing pills properly. If you’re on psychiatric meds, they need to see your facial expressions, speech, and alertness - things a shaky video feed might miss. In those cases, a face-to-face visit is still the gold standard.

Also, if you’re taking strong painkillers like oxycodone (Schedule II), federal rules require an in-person exam before telehealth can be used. The DEA updated this rule in January 2025, but enforcement doesn’t start until December 2025. Still, know your meds. If you’re on a controlled substance, ask if your provider is following the latest rules.

What the Experts Say

Dr. Karen Farris, who led a major 2022 study on telehealth reviews, says this: "It works for 80-85% of patients. But we have to know who’s in the other 15%." That’s why good providers screen you first. If you’re stable, have simple meds, and live alone, you’re likely a great candidate. If you’re confused, forgetful, or have trouble getting to appointments, you might need extra support - like a family member on the call or a home visit.

Pharmacists are happy with the system. An ASHP survey in 2024 showed 84.7% of them felt it improved their workflow. But they also admitted they spend extra time chasing down doctors to get changes made. That’s why your follow-up matters. Don’t assume they’ll fix it. Ask for a timeline. "Will this be updated in my record by next week?"

Real People, Real Stories

One Reddit user, u/MedReviewPatient, shared that their telehealth review caught three dangerous drug interactions their local pharmacy missed. That’s huge. But they also said the video kept freezing when they tried to show their blood pressure cuff. That’s the downside. Tech fails. Be ready. Have a backup phone. Use Wi-Fi, not mobile data. If the connection drops, reschedule. Don’t rush it.

Another patient, a 72-year-old from Ohio, said she felt more confident after her provider sent her a short video tutorial on how to set up the app. Before that, she was scared to even try. After training, her comfort level jumped from 42% to 68%. If you’re not tech-savvy, ask for help. Most clinics offer free tech support for seniors.

What’s Next for Telehealth Medication Reviews?

The system is getting smarter. By 2025, 68% of healthcare systems are testing ways to link these reviews with wearable devices - like smartwatches that track heart rate or blood pressure. Imagine your pharmacist seeing your overnight heart rhythm and adjusting your blood pressure pill before you even call in sick. That’s the future.

Reimbursement is also improving. CMS now has specific codes for these reviews: G2225 for full reviews ($142.37) and G2226 for quick check-ins ($78.92). That means more providers can afford to offer them. But it also means they’ll be more selective. If you’re not prepared, you might get turned away.

Final Checklist Before Your Call

• Bring every pill bottle - prescription, OTC, vitamins, herbal supplements.
• Write down when you take each one and if you’ve missed any.
• Note any side effects: dizziness, nausea, confusion, sleep changes.
• Test your camera, mic, and internet connection 15 minutes before the call.
• Have a pen and paper ready to write down changes.
• Ask: "How will you update my doctor?" and "How will you know if something goes wrong?"
• If you’re on strong pain meds, confirm if an in-person visit is still required.

This isn’t just about saving time. It’s about staying safe. Medication errors are one of the top causes of hospital visits in older adults. A 15-minute call could stop a trip to the ER. Don’t treat it like a formality. Treat it like your health depends on it - because it does.