Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore It

What Is the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)?

The ANOC is sent to anyone with a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan.

It comes directly from your insurance company and outlines what’s changing in your plan from the current year to the next.

The document usually has two columns side by side:

• Your current year’s benefits (2025)
• Your next year’s benefits (2026)

This makes it easy to compare things like:

• Monthly premium
• Office visit copays
• Prescription coverage
• Maximum out-of-pocket

The First Thing to Check

When reviewing your ANOC, the very first thing you should confirm is whether your plan is still available next year.

Look for terms like:

• “Termination”
• “Non-renewal”

If you see those words, it means your plan is ending.

If your plan terminates, you may have a special opportunity to switch to a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan without answering health questions. For some, this is the only chance to move from Advantage to Supplement coverage if they wouldn’t otherwise pass medical underwriting.

Other Key Details to Watch

Even if your plan is still active, pay close attention to these changes in your ANOC:

• Premiums: Is your monthly cost going up?
• Doctor Networks: Are your doctors still in-network for next year?
• Prescription Coverage: Are your medications still covered? Have the copays or tiers changed?
• Maximum Out-of-Pocket: This number can rise significantly year to year on Advantage plans.

Skipping over these details could leave you with surprise bills come January.

Why This Matters

If you don’t review your ANOC and take action:

• Your carrier could automatically move you to a different plan that doesn’t fit your needs.
• In some cases, you could be left on Original Medicare alone—with no drug coverage or supplement—if your plan terminates.

That’s why it’s so important to read your ANOC carefully before the fall enrollment window ends.

Key Dates to Remember

• September: You’ll receive your ANOC in the mail.
• October 15 – December 7: Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period. This is your chance to switch plans if needed.
• January 1: Any changes you make go into effect.

Bottom Line

Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is one of the most important Medicare documents you’ll receive all year. Take the time to review it closely and confirm your plan is still the best fit for 2026.

If you’d like help reviewing your ANOC or exploring better plan options, call us at 800-208-4974 or use the link below to book a free consultation.

We’ll walk you through your options, check your doctors and prescriptions, and make sure you’re not stuck with a plan that no longer works for you.