How to Read Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change 2026

Every September, Medicare beneficiaries receive a document in the mail that many people toss aside without reading — and that’s a costly mistake. Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) contains critical information about your plan for the upcoming year, and ignoring it could cost you thousands of dollars in unexpected medical expenses.

What Is the Annual Notice of Change?

The Annual Notice of Change is a document that Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan holders receive each September. This notice outlines all the changes your plan will make for the following year. For example, the 2025 ANOC you received in late September shows changes that will take effect for your plan in 2026.

The document uses a side-by-side format, with one column showing your current year’s plan details and another column showing what changes for the next year. This makes it easy to spot differences, but only if you take the time to read it carefully.

Understanding your Medicare Annual Notice of Change is crucial because it gives you advance warning of any changes that could impact your healthcare costs or access to care.

Critical Details You Must Check

Plan Availability and Termination

The most important thing to look for first is whether your plan is continuing next year. In the introduction section, watch for words like “termination,” “non-renewal,” or “discontinuation.” If your plan is ending, you’ll see clear language stating this fact.

If your plan is terminating, you have several options, but you must act during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment period from October 15th through December 7th:

• Find a new Medicare Advantage plan in your area
• Switch to Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan
• Enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan if you choose Original Medicare

Agent Tip

If your Medicare Advantage plan terminates and you don’t choose a new plan, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B — but you won’t have prescription drug coverage or supplemental coverage. This leaves you with potentially unlimited out-of-pocket costs.

Premium Changes

Look for any changes in your monthly premium. Medicare Advantage plans often advertise “$0 premium,” but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Your ANOC will clearly show if your premium is increasing for the next year.

Remember, you’ll still pay your Medicare Part B premium of $202.90 per month (or more if you’re subject to IRMAA surcharges), regardless of whether your Medicare Advantage plan has a premium.

Coverage Changes

Review the benefits comparison section carefully. Look for changes in:

• Office visit copays
• Specialist visit costs
• Emergency room copays
• Hospitalization costs
• Maximum out-of-pocket limits
• Prescription drug coverage

Prescription Drug Coverage

This section is critical if you take any medications. Your ANOC will show:

• Changes to your plan’s formulary (list of covered drugs)
• Tier changes for your medications
• New prior authorization requirements
• Changes in copays or coinsurance
• The Part D deductible, which is $615 for 2026

If your medication is being moved to a higher tier or removed from coverage entirely, you’ll want to compare other plans or discuss alternatives with your doctor.

Provider Network Changes

One of the most disruptive changes can be when your doctors leave your plan’s network. The ANOC should indicate if there are significant network changes, but it’s worth calling your doctors’ offices to confirm they’ll still be in-network for the following year.

If your primary care physician or specialists are leaving the network, you’ll need to either find new providers or find a different Medicare plan that includes your current doctors.

Agent Tip

I’ve seen clients discover in January that their cardiologist or oncologist is no longer in their plan’s network. This forces them to either pay out-of-network costs or find new specialists during a critical time in their care.

Special Situations and Guarantee Issue Rights

If your Medicare Advantage plan is terminating or significantly reducing benefits, you may qualify for guarantee issue rights to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without answering health questions. This is often your only opportunity to get Medigap coverage if you have health issues that would otherwise disqualify you.

The guarantee issue period typically lasts for 63 days after your plan ends or reduces benefits substantially.

What to Do After Reviewing Your ANOC

After carefully reviewing your Annual Notice of Change, you have three basic options:

Stay with Your Current Plan

If you’re satisfied with the changes (or lack thereof), you don’t need to do anything. Your coverage will automatically continue with the new terms.

Switch Medicare Advantage Plans

If you’re unhappy with the changes but want to stay with Medicare Advantage, you can shop for a new plan during Open Enrollment. Compare plans carefully, focusing on:

• Premium costs
• Maximum out-of-pocket limits
• Provider networks
• Prescription drug coverage
• Additional benefits like dental, vision, or wellness programs

Switch to Original Medicare

You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do this, you’ll want to:

• Enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan (if you can qualify medically)
• Enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan
• Understand that you’ll lose any extra benefits your Medicare Advantage plan provided

Keep in mind that switching from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement typically requires medical underwriting unless you qualify for guarantee issue rights.

Important Deadlines

You can only make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage during specific times:

• Annual Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31 (limited to one plan change)
• Special Enrollment Periods: Available if you qualify due to specific circumstances

Changes made during Annual Open Enrollment take effect January 1st of the following year.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many people make these costly errors when dealing with their ANOC:

• Not reading it at all: This is the biggest mistake. Set aside 15-30 minutes to review the document thoroughly.
• Assuming nothing important changed: Even small changes can have big financial impacts over the course of a year.
• Waiting too long to act: If you need to make changes, don’t wait until December 6th to start shopping.
• Focusing only on premium: A plan with a higher premium might actually cost less overall if it has better coverage for your specific needs.
• Not checking prescription coverage: Drug coverage changes can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.

When to Consider Professional Help

Reading and understanding your ANOC can be overwhelming, especially if you’re facing significant plan changes. Consider working with a licensed Medicare agent if:

• Your plan is terminating
• Your medications are no longer covered or coverage has changed significantly
• Your doctors are leaving the network
• You’re considering switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
• You’re confused about your options or the implications of changes

A knowledgeable agent can help you understand your options and find a plan that better meets your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my Annual Notice of Change?

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send ANOCs by September 30th each year. Most arrive in late September, giving you time to review before Open Enrollment begins on October 15th.

What if I don’t receive an ANOC?

Contact your plan directly if you don’t receive your ANOC by early October. You can also log into your plan’s website or call the customer service number on your membership card. The information is also available on Medicare.gov.

Do Medicare Supplement plan holders receive an ANOC?

No, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans don’t send ANOCs because the benefits are standardized and don’t change from year to year. However, you may receive notice of premium changes for the following year.

Can I make changes to my Medicare plan outside of Open Enrollment?

Generally, no, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to circumstances like moving, losing other coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help with prescription drug costs. There’s also a limited Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment from January 1-March 31.

What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is terminated and I don’t choose a new plan?

You’ll automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B, but you won’t have prescription drug coverage or supplemental coverage. This leaves you responsible for potentially unlimited out-of-pocket costs and subjects you to potential late enrollment penalties if you later want Part D coverage.