What is a Home Medicines Review (HMR)?
A government-subsidised pharmacist visit to a claimant's home for comprehensive medication assessment and GP consultation.
Published: 3 April 2026 | Updated: 3 April 2026
What is a Home Medicines Review?
A Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a structured pharmacy service in Australia where an accredited pharmacist visits a claimant in their home to comprehensively review all medications. The pharmacist assesses medication appropriateness, safety, and effectiveness, then provides a written report and recommendations to the claimant's general practitioner.
HMRs are funded under the National Medicines List (NML) in Australia and are free or low-cost to eligible claimants. This makes them an accessible option for medication optimisation within insurance claims.
Eligibility for HMR
In Australia, claimants are typically eligible for an HMR if they meet specific criteria:
- Aged 75 years or over, or aged 70 and over with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
- Aged 50 or over with a chronic disease and multiple comorbidities
- Using five or more regular medications (polypharmacy)
- Recently discharged from hospital with medication changes
- Referred by their GP or other healthcare provider
As an insurer, you can refer for a pharmacy review for a claimant who meets these criteria. Your referral is typically made to the claimant's GP, who then arranges the HMR through the NML scheme.
How an HMR Works: Step by Step
Step 1: GP Referral
The GP refers the claimant for an HMR, either at the claimant's request or on your insurer recommendation. The referral is submitted to a pharmacy accredited under the NML.
Step 2: Pharmacist Home Visit
An accredited pharmacist visits the claimant's home, typically for 45 minutes to an hour. They conduct a thorough medication history, observe medication storage, and assess how the claimant is managing their medications.
Step 3: Clinical Analysis
The pharmacist reviews all medications against clinical guidelines, assesses drug interactions, evaluates appropriateness, and identifies medication-related problems.
Step 4: GP Consultation
The pharmacist discusses findings with the GP and provides a written report with recommendations. The GP considers the recommendations and may adjust medications.
Step 5: Follow-up
The claimant receives a copy of the recommendations and is expected to follow up with their GP to discuss any changes.
What's Assessed in an HMR?
A comprehensive HMR covers:
- Complete medication history and current therapy
- Indications for each medication and continued appropriateness
- Dosage, frequency, and route of administration
- Drug interactions and contraindications
- Adverse effects and tolerability
- Medication adherence and compliance issues
- Storage and handling practices in the home
- Understanding and knowledge of medications
- Opportunities to simplify therapy or deprescribe
- Cost-effectiveness of the current regimen
HMR vs MedsCheck
MedsCheck is a complementary service that is shorter and less comprehensive than HMR. Where HMR is a full home visit with GP consultation, MedsCheck is a pharmacy-based or telehealth service lasting around 20 minutes, focused on specific medication concerns. Your choice between HMR and MedsCheck depends on the claimant's needs and complexity.
| Feature | HMR | MedsCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Claimant's home | Pharmacy or telehealth |
| Duration | 45-60 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| GP consultation | Yes, structured report | Limited communication |
| Scope | Comprehensive, all medications | Focused on specific issues |
| Cost to claimant | Free or low-cost | Free or low-cost |
The HMR Report: What You'll Receive
Following the home visit, the pharmacist prepares a detailed report for the GP. This report includes:
- Summary of medication review findings
- Identified medication-related problems
- Specific recommendations for the GP to consider
- Clinical rationale for each recommendation
- Follow-up monitoring suggestions
As an insurer, you can request a copy of this report (with appropriate consent) to inform your claims management decisions. The report provides clinical evidence for medication changes that may reduce costs or improve outcomes.
Why HMRs Matter for Insurance Claims
For your claims team, HMRs deliver several practical benefits:
- Subsidised service reduces out-of-pocket costs for claimants
- Home-based assessment identifies real-world barriers to medication adherence
- GP engagement ensures recommendations are integrated into the claimant's care plan
- Expert pharmacist assessment reduces your liability for medication-related adverse events
- Potential cost savings through deprescribing and therapy optimisation
Is your claimant eligible for an HMR?
IMM can help identify eligible claimants and facilitate referrals for Home Medicines Reviews. Our network of accredited pharmacists delivers comprehensive HMRs that integrate seamlessly with your claims management. We also provide independent medication reviews if an HMR is not appropriate.
Request a Medication Review
