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PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE YOUR MEDICARE ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE LETTER (ANOC)
Michael T Braden September 1, 2026 WHAT IS MEDICARE
PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE YOUR MEDICARE ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE LETTER (ANOC)
As a Medicare beneficiary, you’ve probably realized that Medicare changes every year. It adjusts your premiums and deductibles, and this, in turn, causes updates to your chosen Medicare insurance plan. Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) can help prepare you for the changes that your Medicare plan will make for the following year.
DOES EVERYONE GET AN ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE PACKET?
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D drug plan, you will receive an Annual Notice of Change each year in September. (People with only a Medigap plan don’t receive these because Medigap plans do not have benefit changes from year to year.)
The Medicare Annual Notice of Change is a document you receive in the mail that explains the changes that your Medicare Plan has made. Some changes you can see in an ANOC are increases or decreases in your monthly premiums, charges (copays, deductibles, etc.), service area, and drug formulary.
You should expect to receive one each year. I’ve never seen a plan that didn't change for the upcoming year. This is largely because Medicare changes the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance on Original Medicare and Part D each year. Your plan then must also adjust to cover what is usually a higher deductible or higher copay amount than last year.
WHEN DO THE CHANGES TO YOUR PLAN GO INTO EFFECT?
If your plan changes its benefits, premiums, copays, networks, etc., the modifications will take effect on January 1 of the following year. Your plan sends you the notice in September, so you have time to review the changes. If you are unhappy with those changes, you can use the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment window to select a new plan that begins on January 1.
WHEN WILL YOUR ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE PACKETS BE SENT TO YOU
Medicare states on its website that you should expect to receive your Annual Notice of Change each year in September. You should receive your letter no later than September 30.
Be aware that your plan will send your ANOC to the address that you have on file with Medicare. If you have moved, notify Medicare right away so your Annual Notice of Change doesn’t get lost in the mail.
ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE PACKET, FOLLOW THESE STEPS
1. As soon as you receive your Annual Notice of Change, review it thoroughly. This is a great time to budget and make sure you can easily afford any changes to your plan. If not, you have plenty of time to research other options and choose a new plan that will start on January 1.
2. Check that ALL of your doctors, hospitals, and clinics are still in your plan's network for the coming year. Doctors can leave plans at any time, so you are responsible for making sure they are still in your plan. If not, call your Broker and ask them to help you find a new plan that includes all your doctors.
3. Check whether your plan is still available for next year
4. Double-check that you are still in the plan's service area.
5. Thoroughly review all your current prescription medications. Make sure all your prescriptions are covered, and note any changes to the Prescription Drug Tier compared with this year's plan. This matters because it can affect your copays. If there are changes, knowing them in September makes it much easier to consider your options and make changes before the new plan starts.
Questions you should ask as you are reviewing your ANOC:
If your current plan is still available next year, are all your medications still in the plan's formulary?
Has the plan added any restrictions to your prescription medications, such as Quantity Limits or requiring a prior authorization before you can fill new prescriptions?
Are there any changes to your premiums?
Did your Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug) deductible go up beginning January 1?
If the plan is a Medicare Advantage plan, here are some of the questions you should ask yourself as you review your ANOC.
Are your doctors and hospitals still in the plan’s network next year?
Will you need a referral from your PCP to see a specialist?
How much is the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for next year? Has it increased this year?
In the event of a serious illness, do you have the funds available to cover that out-of-pocket maximum?
How much are the copays for healthcare services that you know you will need? Can you afford those copays?
Is there a medical deductible? Is there a drug deductible?
WHAT TO DO IF THE CHANGES TO YOUR CURRENT PLAN MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE?
If you don't like the Medicare changes your plan makes, you can always switch plans. Your carrier must send you the ANOC in September, so you have time to switch plans during the Annual Election Period (AEP).
If you utilize the Medicare website (www.medicare.gov), you can find information on every Medicare plan that is available in your area, including Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans, and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans.
WHAT IS AEP (ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR MEDICARE)
Every year, Medicare offers this period during which people can change their Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan. If you have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, you can change to a different Part D drug plan.
Another change you can make during the AEP is switching from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare. Many people who do this also enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan to go alongside their Original Medicare.
The Annual Election Period begins on October 15 and ends on December 7 each year. Any plan changes you make during this period take effect on January 1 of the following year.
The Annual Election Period has nothing to do with Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans. Most people don't realize they can apply for any Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan at any time throughout the year. However, there is a but: unless you live in a state that has adopted a Medicare Birthday Rule, you will probably need to pass the Medicare Supplement/Medigap underwriting process to be approved for any new Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan.
IF YOU NEED HELP, WE ARE ONLY A TEXT OR PHONE CALL AWAY
If you conclude that your plan’s upcoming changes won’t affect you much, you can automatically renew your plan. However, if the changes worry you, it's prudent to work with your Medicare broker. If you don't have, or have never had, a Medicare Broker, please feel free to reach out to us at Braden Medicare Insurance Services. If we can help you, we will, and best of all, there is never, ever a charge for our time, experience, or expertise. We can review multiple Medicare Advantage plans from several insurance carriers. This way, you can review all of your options in one place.
WRAPPING THINGS UP
We hope that you have found this article on the Medicare Annual Notice of Change Packet helpful and informative. Our goal is to provide relevant, important information so every Medicare beneficiary can feel confident and prepared for the healthcare decisions they make.
Every Medicare beneficiary with either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan will receive their ANOC every September at the address on file with Medicare.
Changes you may see in your ANOC include premium increases, copay or deductible changes, service area changes, and changes to your drug formulary.
The changes in your ANOC will always begin on January 1, the first of the new year.
Everyone should set aside a few minutes to review your ANOC packet in detail so you can determine whether you are okay for the upcoming year or if you'd like to choose a new plan for the next Medicare plan year.
If you ever have any questions about coverage, we always encourage Medicare beneficiaries to reach out to their Medicare Broker. If you do not have a broker, please reach out to us, and we will be glad to help you find a new Medicare Broker in your area. You can call or text Michael at (480) 225-1393, email him at mike@bradenmedicare.com, or visit our website www.bradenmedicare.com and complete a Contact Us form.
