Understanding Your Medicare Plan ANOC: Why it Matters
If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you’ll receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) every fall. While it might be tempting to toss it aside with other “Medicare mail,” Understanding your Medicare Plan ANOC is important. It explains changes to health coverage, costs, and benefits for the upcoming year.
What Is an ANOC
The ANOC is a letter both Medicare Advantage and Part D plan are required to send enrollees by September 30. It outlines any changes the plan will make for the next calendar year, starting January 1. Even if enrollees are happy with their current coverage, these changes can directly impact what they pay and the care they receive.
The ANOC will compare the current year’s benefits, costs, and coverage with what they’ll be next year, including:
- Monthly premium changes
- Copays and coinsurance updates
- Deductible adjustments
- Changes to your provider network (doctors, specialists, hospitals)
- Changes to your drug formulary (which prescriptions are covered and how much they cost)
- Any added or removed benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or fitness programs
Why Is the ANOC Important
The ANOC is an early warning system for how coverage will look in the year ahead. Ignoring it can lead to unpleasant surprises like; your doctor is no longer in-network or prescription costs have gone way up.
By reviewing the ANOC carefully, you can:
- Spot coverage gaps. Make sure medications, providers, and benefits are still covered next year.
- Avoid unexpected costs; premiums, copays, and deductibles can increase.
- Compare other plan options. If you don’t like the changes, you can explore new plans during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7.
- Plan ahead; knowing changes in advance allows you to budget for new costs or switch to another plan before the year starts.
Agents watch a quick YouTube video on AEP marketing rules
What to Do When You Get Your ANOC
- Open it immediately. Don’t let it sit in a pile of unopened mail.
- Review every section. Pay close attention to drug coverage, provider networks, and cost changes.
- Make a comparison chart. List 2025 vs. 2026 benefits and costs to see differences clearly.
- Ask questions. Call your plan or talk to a licensed Medicare agent if you need clarification.
- Take action during AEP. If the changes aren’t favorable, you can switch to a new plan.
Bottom Line
The ANOC is more than just a piece of Medicare paperwork; it’s a guide to understanding how your plan will serve you next year. Reviewing it now could save you money, protect your access to care, and ensure you have the coverage you truly need. The best way to get the coverage you need is to speak with a licensed Medicare agent who can go over all your options.
Recent Comments