That envelope from your plan, usually titled "Annual Notice of Change," is easy to set aside as junk mail. It is one of the most useful pieces of mail you get all year. Medicare.gov describes it as the notice that lists changes in coverage, costs, and more taking effect in January, and it recommends reviewing it to decide whether your plan will still meet your needs next year. This guide walks through it in the order that matters.
- By Sept 30: Plans are required to have sent the ANOC to current members (Medicare.gov). No letter yet? Contact your plan.
- Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment. Your plan must receive any change by Dec 7 (Medicare.gov).
- Jan 1, 2027: New coverage and the changes in your letter take effect.
What the ANOC is, and what it is not
The ANOC is a summary of what is changing in your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. It is not a bill, and it is not a new enrollment. It is a companion to the Evidence of Coverage (EOC), the longer document that explains everything the plan covers and what you pay. Both arrive in the fall, per Medicare.gov. Original Medicare with a Medigap policy works differently, though Medigap insurers also send their own premium notices, and your standalone drug plan sends an ANOC too.
The five sections to read first
Skip the cover letter and look for the comparison tables, usually "2026" next to "2027." Check these in order:
- Monthly premium and deductible. Did either go up or down? Also check whether the Part B premium give-back, if your plan has one, is still offered.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). This is your yearly ceiling on covered in-network medical costs. A lower premium with a higher ceiling can cost more in a bad year.
- Doctor, specialist, and hospital copays. Look at the services you actually use, such as primary care visits, physical therapy, imaging, or an ER visit.
- Prescription drug coverage. Find each of your medications on the plan's drug list (formulary). Check its tier, whether it now needs prior authorization or step therapy, and whether any pharmacy is no longer preferred. See our Part D page.
- Provider network. Plans can change which doctors and hospitals are in network. Confirm your doctors and pharmacy are still included before January.
Extra benefits are easy to overlook
Dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances, and fitness benefits can change from year to year, and so can the dollar limits. If you chose a Medicare Advantage plan partly for one of these, find that line in the letter and confirm it is unchanged. Our AEP 2026 guide explains why plans adjust benefits each year.
Want a second set of eyes on your letter?
Read us the changes, or send a photo. We will tell you plainly what they mean and what your options are. Free, no pressure.
Get a free ANOC reviewWhat if you do nothing?
According to CMS, if you keep your current Medicare health and drug coverage you do not need to act, and it continues automatically. The risk is that "automatic" also means any changes in the ANOC apply to you on January 1. If the letter shows a drug moving to a higher tier or a doctor leaving the network, the Open Enrollment window is when you can respond. If you decide to switch, the enrollment window guide covers what you can change and when. If you are already in Advantage, there is also a Jan 1 – Mar 31 Open Enrollment Period for one more change.
Questions to ask before December 7
- Are all my medications still covered, and at what cost?
- Are my doctors, hospital, and pharmacy still in network?
- What is the new out-of-pocket maximum?
- Do any benefits I rely on look different from last year?
- Have I compared the plan against others available in my county on Medicare Plan Finder?
Medicare help in your state
Honorbrook is licensed in the 11 states below. Plan availability, costs and some rules vary by state and county, so call us at (571) 354-0146 for what applies where you live.
- Virginia · county pages
- Maryland · county pages
- North Carolina · county pages
- South Carolina · county pages
- Georgia · county pages
- Alabama · county pages
- Louisiana · county pages
- Texas · county pages
- Michigan · county pages
- Indiana · county pages
- West Virginia · county pages
How Honorbrook helps
We are an independent agency. Reading an ANOC against your doctors and prescriptions is a quick call for us, and it does not cost you anything. We do not offer every plan in every area, so Medicare.gov remains the place to see all options.
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Plan details vary, and a licensed agent can confirm what applies to you.