Prescription history check is the specific underwriting action of pulling an individual's pharmacy fill report from a third-party database to see which medications have been dispensed over a set period. The report typically lists drug names, dosages, prescribing doctors, and fill dates, but does not provide full clinical records. Insurers use prescription history checks to verify application disclosures, improve risk classification, and reduce reliance on invasive exams in accelerated programs. The process requires applicant authorization and is subject to privacy laws and fair credit reporting regulations, including disclosure and adverse action notice requirements if the information contributes to an unfavorable decision.

In daily underwriting workflows, prescription history checks are ordered alongside MIB reports, motor vehicle records, and sometimes labs. Underwriters are trained to interpret common medications and to request clarification when the indication for a drug is unclear or appears more serious than disclosed. Advisors educating clients about the underwriting process may mention prescription checks as one reason full disclosure is important even if a condition seems minor. For simplified and instant-decision products, prescription history checks are often automated, with rules engines translating drug patterns into risk scores. Understanding prescription history checks helps advisors set expectations about underwriting timelines and potential follow-up questions from carriers.