What is the Annual Notice of Change?
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare prescription drug plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change, commonly called an ANOC, each fall. Medicare says the notice explains changes in coverage, costs and other plan details that will take effect in January.
Five areas worth reviewing carefully
Do not look only at the monthly premium. A useful annual review should consider the full picture:
- Premiums and deductibles: Check whether your monthly premium or annual deductible is changing.
- Copays and coinsurance: Compare what you may pay for doctor visits, hospital care, outpatient services and other services you use.
- Prescription coverage: Review the formulary, drug tiers, pharmacy network and any prior authorization or other utilization rules that may affect your prescriptions.
- Provider network: For Medicare Advantage, confirm that the doctors, hospitals and other providers important to you are expected to remain in-network for 2027.
- Extra benefits: Dental, vision, hearing, transportation, over-the-counter allowances and other supplemental benefits can change from year to year.
Why September is a good time to start
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. During that period, beneficiaries can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage for the following year. Changes made during Open Enrollment generally take effect January 1.
Starting your review when the ANOC arrives gives you time to gather your current medication list, preferred pharmacies, doctors and healthcare priorities before comparing 2027 options.
Also watch for your “Medicare & You” handbook
Medicare mails the updated Medicare & You handbook to Medicare households in late September. It summarizes Medicare benefits, rights, protections and health and drug plan information. Medicare also makes an electronic version available online.
If your ANOC does not arrive
Medicare advises beneficiaries who do not receive this important plan document to contact their plan. You can also use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for official Medicare information.