Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Letter

You should receive an ANOC from a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan. The notice summarizes the plan changes that could affect your coverage in the coming year.

Original Medicare does not send a private-plan ANOC. Medicare Supplement policyholders generally do not receive the same Medicare Advantage or Part D-style ANOC for standardized benefits, but they should still review insurer rate notices and other policy communications before changing coverage.

First, compare the next-year premium, deductible, copays, and coinsurance with your current plan. Then check the changes that matter to your everyday care: doctors, hospitals, extra benefits, and service area for Medicare Advantage; medications, drug tiers, coverage rules, and preferred pharmacies for Part D.

If a change affects you, compare alternatives before you decide to renew. Keep your ANOC with your plan records, and contact your plan if you do not receive it. Medicare.gov also explains the purpose of a Plan Annual Notice of Change.

For Medicare Advantage, focus on changes to your costs, benefits, provider network, service area, and maximum out-of-pocket responsibility. A plan can still look familiar while changing a doctor network or benefit you use.

For Part D, focus on your formulary. Confirm that every medication remains covered at an acceptable tier and that your pharmacy is still preferred. Use our guide to a Medicare Part D formulary if the notice uses unfamiliar drug-coverage terms.

Do not assume a change means you must leave your plan. Start by measuring the effect on your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. If the new terms no longer work for you, compare plans using the same medications, providers, and ZIP code before making a decision.

For prescription coverage, review Medicare Part D plan options and our Part D enrollment deadline guide. If you are considering a Medigap change, read about Medicare Supplement open enrollment before cancelling any existing policy.