Aug. 13, 2026

You can help ensure patients are taking medications correctly by reviewing them with patients as part of their visit. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends providers conduct “brown bag medicine reviews” for their patients. As part of a brown bag review, patients bring their medicines and supplements to their visits so providers can ensure medicines are being taken as directed.

The reviews can uncover medicine errors and medicines missing from your records, according to AHRQ. Consider modifying the following tips from AHRQ to fit the needs of your patients and practice.

AHRQ brown bag tips

• Start the review by verifying that the patient is taking the most recently prescribed medications.

• Identify mistakes or misunderstandings by asking questions, such as:

  • Do you know what this medication is for?

  • When do you take this medication?

  • Can you show me how you take this medication?

  • Have you had any side effects or trouble taking this medication?

• Clarify prescription instructions by using the teach-back method. This involves asking the patient to explain your instructions using their own words.

• Provide an updated medication list at discharge.

Closing care gaps

Patient experiences may impact ratings for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Five-Star Quality Rating System on measures such as Medication Reconciliation Post-Discharge and Medication Review. Using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) Category II codes on claim submissions, when appropriate, can help ensure gaps in care are closed.

See our Stars Guidebook for more information, including on relevant CPT codes. You can access it in the HealthSpring Medicare Advantage payer space of Availity^® Essentials. or request a copy from your HealthSpring representative.

The above material is for informational/educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their evidence of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.

CPT copyright 2025 American Medical Association. CPT is a registered trademark of the AMA.