How to Prepare for a Medicare Annual Medication Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Seniors

Every year, millions of Medicare beneficiaries get a call or letter inviting them to a free, one-on-one medication review. But if you’ve never done it before, it can feel confusing. What exactly happens? Do you need to bring anything? What if you forget something? This isn’t just a chat with your pharmacist-it’s a Medicare Annual Medication Review, a federally required service designed to catch dangerous drug interactions, cut unnecessary prescriptions, and save you money. And if you prepare right, it could literally save your life.

What Is a Medicare Annual Medication Review?

The Medicare Annual Medication Review, officially called a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR), is a free service offered by your Medicare Part D plan. It’s not optional for them-it’s required by law under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Every year, your plan must offer this review to anyone who qualifies. And if you take multiple medications, you likely do.

This isn’t a quick 5-minute check-in at the pharmacy counter. It’s a full 30- to 60-minute conversation with a licensed pharmacist, done in person or over video call. They’ll look at every pill, capsule, patch, and supplement you take-prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, even vitamins. They’ll check for overlaps, side effects, and whether anything you’re taking might be doing more harm than good.

The goal? To make sure you’re not taking drugs that don’t belong, to find cheaper alternatives, and to fix problems like forgetting doses or taking things at the wrong time. Studies show that when people prepare for this review, their risk of hospitalization from bad drug reactions drops by nearly 40%.

Who Qualifies for the Review?

Not everyone gets invited. To be eligible, you need to meet at least two of these three criteria in 2025:

• You take at least 8 Part D-covered prescription drugs (including maintenance meds like blood pressure or diabetes pills)
• You have at least 3 chronic health conditions-like diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or kidney disease
• You spent more than $1,623 out-of-pocket on your Part D medications in the past year

If you’re on 5 or 6 meds but have 4 chronic conditions and spent $1,800 last year? You qualify. If you take 10 meds but only spent $1,200? You still qualify. The rules changed in 2024 to make it easier to get in. Even if you don’t get a letter, call your plan. Ask if you’re eligible. Don’t wait.

What You Need to Bring

This is where most people mess up. They show up with a list they wrote from memory-and forget half their meds. The pharmacist can’t fix what they don’t know about.

Bring every single medication you take, in the original container. That means:

• All prescription bottles-even the ones you haven’t opened in months
• Over-the-counter pills like ibuprofen, allergy meds, or sleep aids
• Vitamins and supplements-fish oil, magnesium, ginkgo, turmeric
• Herbal teas or remedies if you use them daily
• Topical creams, patches, or inhalers

Don’t just bring the bottles. Write down:

• When you take each one (morning, night, with food?)
• Why you take it (e.g., “for high blood pressure,” “for joint pain”)
• Any side effects you’ve noticed (dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion)
• Any pills you’ve skipped or stopped taking, and why
• Any questions you have about cost or how to take them

A 2023 study by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that 68% of people who brought their actual pills to the review had at least one medication error corrected. Those who only brought a list? Only 29% had issues caught.

How to Prepare: A Simple 5-Step Checklist

You don’t need to be a doctor to get ready. Just follow this:

1. Gather everything. Go through your medicine cabinet, nightstand, purse, and car. Collect all bottles. This takes 20-30 minutes.
2. Take photos. Snap clear pictures of each label. If you lose a bottle later, you’ll still have the info.
3. Make a simple list. Write down the name, dose, and time of day for each item. Use a notebook or your phone. Don’t rely on memory.
4. Write down your concerns. What’s bothering you? “I feel tired after lunch.” “I keep forgetting my afternoon pill.” “This costs $120 a month-can it be cheaper?”
5. Bring someone with you. A spouse, child, or friend. People forget things under pressure. A second set of ears helps.

Pro tip: If you take 8+ meds, set aside 60-90 minutes total to prepare. If you take 4-7, 30-45 minutes is enough. Don’t rush it. This is your health.

What Happens During the Review?

The pharmacist will start by confirming what you’re taking. They’ll compare your list to your claims data. Often, they’ll spot something you didn’t-like a duplicate prescription from two different doctors, or a drug that doesn’t mix with your blood thinner.

They’ll ask questions like:

• “Do you ever skip doses because of cost?”
• “Do you feel dizzy after taking your morning pills?”
• “Are you using the same pillbox for everything?”

Then they’ll give you three things:

• A Consultation Letter-a summary of what was discussed
• A Medication Action Plan-clear steps to fix problems (e.g., “switch to generic,” “stop this supplement,” “take with food”)
• A Personal Medication List-an updated, easy-to-read list you can carry in your wallet

This isn’t just paperwork. It’s your new health roadmap. Keep it with your ID. Show it to every new doctor.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

The average senior takes 6-8 prescription drugs. Many also take 3-5 supplements. That’s a lot of moving parts. And drugs don’t always play nice together.

For example:

• Taking ibuprofen with blood pressure meds can raise your risk of kidney damage.
• St. John’s Wort can make your antidepressant useless-or worse, cause serotonin syndrome.
• Some sleep aids increase fall risk in seniors by 50%.

One Reddit user, “SeniorHealth101,” shared how their pharmacist caught a dangerous interaction between their blood thinner and fish oil capsules. “I had no idea,” they wrote. “I thought fish oil was harmless. Turns out, it doubled my bleeding risk.”

Another user, “RetiredTeacher2022,” missed their review because they didn’t bring their pills. “We had to reschedule,” they said. “Wasted two weeks. Lesson learned.”

The data backs this up. A review of 247 Medicare users showed that those who prepared properly had a 78% satisfaction rate. Those who didn’t? Only 42%.

What If You Can’t Make It?

If you’re homebound, sick, or have trouble getting out, you don’t have to skip it. Most plans now offer telehealth CMRs. You can do it on Zoom, FaceTime, or your phone. Just ask.

If you’re worried about remembering what to say, record the call (with permission) or ask a family member to join. If you don’t have a smartphone, call your plan’s customer service. They’ll mail you the forms or send someone to your home.

Don’t let logistics stop you. This service is free. It’s your right. And it’s designed for people like you.

What Happens After the Review?

The pharmacist will send your updated medication list to your doctors. They might recommend switching to a cheaper drug, stopping something unnecessary, or adding a pill organizer. You don’t have to do everything they suggest-but you should understand why they’re saying it.

If they suggest a change, ask:

• “Is this safe with my other meds?”
• “How soon should I start?”
• “Will my insurance cover it?”
• “What if I don’t change anything?”

Then follow up with your doctor. Don’t stop or start anything on your own. But do bring the Medication Action Plan to your next appointment.

Keep the Personal Medication List with you. Put it in your wallet, your purse, your phone. Use it when you go to the ER, see a new doctor, or get admitted to the hospital.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t make these errors:

• Bringing only a list. Labels matter. Doses change. Pills look similar.
• Forgetting supplements. “I don’t take medicine, just vitamins.” That’s exactly what they need to know.
• Not asking questions. If you’re unsure, say so. No question is too small.
• Waiting for the letter. Don’t wait for your plan to contact you. Call them. Ask if you qualify.
• Assuming it’s just a formality. This isn’t a box to check. It’s a safety net.

Final Thoughts: This Is Your Health, Not Theirs

The Medicare Annual Medication Review isn’t about pleasing your plan. It’s about keeping you safe, healthy, and in control. You’re not just a number. You’re someone who takes time to manage their health-and that matters.

If you’re on multiple meds, this review is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s free. It’s confidential. And it’s designed for you.

Take 45 minutes this week to gather your pills. Write down your concerns. Call your plan. Show up prepared. You might not notice a difference today-but next month, when you don’t feel dizzy after lunch, or when your prescription costs $30 instead of $120, you’ll know why.

Don’t wait for the letter. Take action now. Your future self will thank you.