Each fall, Medicare beneficiaries are flooded with brochures, postcards, and sales letters from insurance companies. Most of it isn’t worth a second glance. But there is one piece of mail that stands out as absolutely essential. Arriving between early September and mid-October, it can determine how much you’ll pay and what kind of care you’ll receive in the coming year. It’s called the Annual Notice of Change—or ANOC—and ignoring it could lead to higher costs or unexpected disruptions in coverage.
What Is the ANOC Letter?
The Annual Notice of Change is an official summary sent by your current Medicare Advantage or standalone Part D drug plan provider. It explains what’s changing in your current plan for the following year—starting January 1.
Every year, insurance companies are allowed to update their Medicare plans. That means the plan you like today may not look the same in 2025. The ANOC spells out those updates so you can make an informed decision before the Annual Enrollment Period begins on October 15.
Who Sends It—and Who Doesn’t?
The ANOC will not come from Medicare or the federal government.
It will not come from your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance provider, because Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable and don’t change benefits annually (though premiums can adjust at renewal).
The ANOC only comes from:
- Your Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan provider
- Your standalone Part D drug plan provider
If you are enrolled in one or both of those, you’ll receive one ANOC per plan—so possibly two separate letters.
When Does the ANOC Arrive?
Insurance companies are required to send your ANOC between September 1 and September 30 each year. Most beneficiaries receive it by mid-September.
If you don’t receive your ANOC by October 15, contact your insurance provider directly and request a replacement.
Why the ANOC Is So Important
Medicare Advantage and drug plans operate on annual contracts. Each year, insurance companies can:
- Increase or decrease premiums
- Change your deductibles, copays, or coinsurance
- Update the plan’s network of doctors, pharmacies, or hospitals
- Adjust the list of covered medications (formulary)
- Discontinue the plan entirely
The ANOC letter outlines all of these changes. If you simply ignore it, you might start the new year with higher costs, fewer benefits, or disruptions to your care.
What to Look For in Your ANOC
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, review the following:
- Monthly premium
- Deductibles – Are there new or increased amounts for hospital or outpatient services?
- Copays and coinsurance – Have fees changed for specialists, hospital stays, or diagnostic tests?
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) – Has your financial protection cap increased?
- Network updates – Are your preferred doctors, hospitals, or specialists still in-network?
- Monthly premium – Is your plan still affordable?
- Deductible – Will it rise?
- Drug tier and copays – Have your medications changed tiers or cost-sharing rules?
- Pharmacy network – Is your preferred pharmacy still preferred—or now standard?
- Formulary – Are all of your prescriptions still covered?
Remember, even small changes in drug coverage or network status can lead to major cost increases over time.
If You Like Your Plan, Do Nothing
If you review your ANOC and are happy with the changes—or if there are no changes—you don’t need to do anything. Your plan will automatically renew on January 1.
If You Don’t Like What You See, You Have Options
If your plan is changing in ways that no longer meet your needs, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. During that time, you can:
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans
- Change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
- Switch from one Part D plan to another
- Move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
Most changes take effect January 1 of the following year. No medical underwriting is required to switch Medicare Advantage or drug plans during this window.
Note: If you want to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap (Supplement) plan, you may need to pass medical underwriting unless you qualify for guaranteed issue rights.
Who Can Help You Review Your ANOC and Compare Options?
When it comes to Medicare plan changes, you have three options:
- Call Center Agents – Large, national services with rotating agents and limited plan options.
- Captive Insurance Agents – Represent a single insurance company and can only recommend that company’s products.
- Independent Brokers (like us at MedicareSchool.com) – We compare plans across dozens of companies and help you choose based on your priorities, not company quotas.
Best of all, the cost to you is the same—regardless of which route you choose. Plan pricing is set by the insurance carriers, not the agent. The real difference is in the level of personalized service, expertise, and ongoing support you receive.
We also offer in-house customer service so our clients never have to deal with 1-800 numbers or outsourced call centers.
Review Your Plan with the Help of a Licensed Broker
The Annual Notice of Change is more than a routine update. It’s a mirror that shows whether your current plan still fits your needs. What worked last year might not work next year, and the only way to know for sure is to take a closer look.
Sometimes it’s a small change in the fine print that creates bigger issues down the road—like a prescription no longer being covered or your doctor no longer accepting your plan. Before you roll into another year by default, take a moment to review what’s changing.
If you want a second opinion or just need help making sense of what your plan is telling you, we’re here.