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

Every year, millions of seniors on Medicare get a chance to sit down with a pharmacist and go over every single medication they’re taking - prescription drugs, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, herbal supplements, even that fish oil capsule they’ve been taking since 2018. This isn’t just a quick chat. It’s a Medicare Annual Medication Review, officially called a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). And if you’re eligible, it’s free. But here’s the catch: the better you prepare, the more value you get out of it. Many people show up with nothing but a vague memory of what they take. Others bring a full binder, a list of questions, and even a family member. Guess who walks away with fewer side effects, lower bills, and clearer instructions? The ones who prepared.

What Exactly Is a Medicare Annual Medication Review?

The Medicare Annual Medication Review is required by law. It’s not optional for your plan. Every Medicare Part D drug plan must offer it to eligible beneficiaries at least once a year. This isn’t just about checking if you’re taking your blood pressure pill. It’s a full audit of everything you swallow - including what you buy without a prescription.

A licensed pharmacist runs the review. They’ll look at all your meds: prescriptions, OTC painkillers, heartburn meds, herbal teas, magnesium supplements, even eye drops and skin creams. They check for dangerous interactions, duplicate drugs, unnecessary pills, and whether you’re actually taking them the way they’re supposed to be taken. The goal? To catch problems before they cause a hospital visit, a fall, or a costly emergency.

The review ends with three key documents: a Consultation Letter explaining what was discussed, a Medication Action Plan with clear next steps, and a Personal Medication List you can carry with you. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s your personal medication roadmap for the year.

Who Qualifies for the Review?

You don’t need to ask for it - your plan should reach out if you’re eligible. But not everyone gets invited. As of 2025, you qualify if you meet any two of these three criteria:

• You have at least two chronic health conditions (like diabetes, heart disease, COPD, kidney disease, or high blood pressure)
• You take at least two Part D-covered prescription medications (including maintenance drugs like insulin or statins)
• You spent over $1,623 out-of-pocket on covered Part D medications in the past year

That’s a big change from just a few years ago. Before 2024, you needed three chronic conditions and eight or more medications. Now, the bar is lower. More seniors - especially those with just a few high-cost drugs - are getting invited.

Even if you don’t get a letter, you can still request a review. Call your Part D plan’s customer service line. Ask for a Comprehensive Medication Review. You’re entitled to it if you meet the criteria.

How to Prepare: The 5-Step Checklist

Preparation makes all the difference. Studies show that seniors who come prepared have a 78% higher satisfaction rate than those who don’t. Here’s exactly what to do:

1. Gather every medication you take - all of them. This includes prescriptions, OTCs like ibuprofen or antacids, vitamins, herbal supplements (like ginkgo or turmeric), eye drops, inhalers, patches, and even topical creams. Don’t forget the ones you only take “as needed.” Bring the actual bottles. Labels have the dose, frequency, and prescriber info. If you can’t find a bottle, write down the name, dose, and why you take it.
2. Make a written list - even if you have one already. List every item in order: medication name, dose, how often you take it (e.g., “10 mg once daily”), and why (e.g., “for cholesterol”). Include the name of the doctor who prescribed it. If you’re unsure about something, write “Not sure” next to it. This list becomes your reference during the review.
3. Write down your concerns - what’s bothering you? Do you feel dizzy after taking your morning pill? Does your stomach hurt after your arthritis meds? Have you skipped doses because they’re too expensive? Did your doctor change your dose last month and you’re not sure why? Write it all down. These are the exact things the pharmacist needs to know.
4. Bring recent health changes - any new diagnosis, hospital stay, ER visit, or lab result in the last six months? Especially if it relates to your meds. For example, if your kidney function dropped last month, that affects which drugs are safe for you. Bring copies of recent lab reports or doctor notes.
5. Bring someone with you - a spouse, adult child, or friend. The review takes 30 to 60 minutes. It’s easy to forget details, especially if you’re managing multiple conditions. A second set of ears helps you remember what was said and ask follow-up questions later.

What Happens During the Review?

You’ll meet with a pharmacist - either in person at a pharmacy, over the phone, or via video call. They’ll start by comparing your list to what’s in your plan’s records. They’ll spot mismatches: “You said you take 20 mg of lisinopril, but your records show 40 mg. Which is right?”

Then they’ll dig deeper:

• Are you taking two drugs that do the same thing? (Like two different blood pressure pills that overlap)
• Is one of your meds causing side effects that look like new health problems?
• Are you taking something you don’t need anymore? (Like an old antibiotic or a painkiller from a past injury)
• Are any of your meds too expensive? Could a generic or lower-cost alternative work?
• Are you having trouble swallowing pills or remembering when to take them?

They’ll also check for interactions with foods, supplements, or other drugs. For example, if you’re on warfarin (a blood thinner), taking too much vitamin K (from greens or supplements) can make it less effective. Or if you’re on statins, grapefruit juice can make side effects worse.

The pharmacist doesn’t change your prescriptions. But they’ll tell you what they found - and suggest you talk to your doctor about changes. They’ll also update your Personal Medication List so you have an accurate, up-to-date copy to carry in your wallet.

Real-Life Wins: What People Have Discovered

One woman in Ohio brought her 14 medications to her review. The pharmacist spotted she was taking two different versions of the same cholesterol drug - one brand, one generic. She was doubling up without knowing. That’s a waste of money and a risk for side effects.

An 82-year-old man in Florida was taking daily melatonin for sleep. The pharmacist found he was also taking a multi-symptom cold medicine that contained melatonin. He was taking double the recommended dose. He stopped the cold med - and slept better.

Another senior found out her blood pressure pills were causing her to feel dizzy when she stood up. The pharmacist suggested a timing change: take them at night instead of in the morning. No more falls. No more ER visits.

These aren’t rare cases. A 2023 study found that 43% of seniors who had a full CMR had at least one medication problem identified - and 89% of those problems were fixed.

What to Do After the Review

You’ll get three documents:

• Consultation Letter - a summary of what was discussed
• Medication Action Plan - next steps, like “Talk to your doctor about switching from drug A to drug B”
• Personal Medication List - your updated, accurate list to carry with you

Keep these in a folder. Show them to your doctor at your next visit. If the action plan says to change a dose or stop a med, don’t wait. Call your doctor’s office. Ask if you can schedule a short appointment just to discuss the pharmacist’s recommendations.

Also, update your list every time you get a new prescription or stop a med. Use your phone to take a photo of the new label. That way, next year’s review will be even easier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t be like the 58% of seniors who don’t prepare well. Here’s what to skip:

• Don’t say “I think I take…” - bring the bottles.
• Don’t leave out supplements - they count.
• Don’t assume your doctor knows everything - many don’t.
• Don’t skip the review just because you feel fine. Problems are often silent.
• Don’t wait for your plan to call - if you qualify and haven’t been contacted, call them.

What If You Can’t Make It?

If you can’t do the review in person or on video, ask if you can do it over the phone. Many plans offer this. If you have trouble hearing or remembering, ask if a family member can join the call. If you’re homebound, some plans offer home visits.

If you miss your review, don’t panic. Call your plan again. You’re still eligible. They’ll reschedule. The goal is to get it done - not to miss it.

Next Steps

Don’t wait for a letter. If you’re on Medicare and take more than two medications, call your Part D plan today. Ask: “Am I eligible for a Comprehensive Medication Review?” If you are, schedule it now. If you’re not sure, gather your meds and make a list anyway. The more you prepare, the more you’ll get out of it.

One phone call, one list, one conversation - could save you a fall, a hospital trip, or hundreds in unnecessary drug costs. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s your health, in your hands.