Are there any pointers or suggestions when looking over my ANOC (Annual Notice of Change)?

Question

Mike Alexander · Accepted Answer

Yes you should look at all changes especially your Prescription benefits, co pays and what your value added benefits will look like for the new year.
Always make sure that your plan will be in the area and if thete is a plan change

Bill Wheeler · Answer

I would advise you to check every year to make sure your prescriptions are still covered at the same cost, and that your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in-network. It's also a good time to review any dental, vision, or other extra benefits to see if anything was added, removed, or reduced.

Answered by Bill Wheeler on November 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY & IN

Answered by Bill Wheeler Medicare Insurance Agent

Pamela Masters · Answer

Just make sure that you see all the changes. By this time in the year you are probably familiar with your plan so in the column for next year, make sure you are happy with the changes. If you don’t understand something, call your agent or member services for your plan

Answered by Pamela Masters on October 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC

Answered by Pamela Masters Medicare Insurance Agent

Kelsey Hentzen · Answer

Check your prescriptions on your ANOC. You can also have a Medicare broker look over the changes to your plan and prescriptions for 2026.

Michelle Sparks · Answer

Please pay special attention to changes related to your maximum out of pocket, your medical and drug deductibles, as well as your prescription drug cost. There are significant changes coming with 2026 plans, so close review of your ANOC notice is critical. Additionally, reach out to a local broker so you can have them do in depth research on your providers and prescriptions cost. You don't want any surprises in January on drug costs or your doctor no longer being in network.

Answered by Michelle Sparks on October 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS, AR, FL, MO & TX

Answered by Michelle Sparks Medicare Insurance Agent

Mitchell Jerome · Answer

Great question. This ANOC is so often missed by consumers because there's so much mail inundating each person during the annual enrollment period. This annual notice of change is simple, clear, and critically important when you want to compare the present benefits to the change in benefits coming in January. It will show line by line each benefit comparison... one of the most important mailings from each insurance company.

Answered by Mitchell Jerome on May 18, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Mitchell Jerome Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Garrett · Answer

The annual notice of change comes out in late September or early October. The ANOC will let you know of specific changes to the plan you are currently on. If you do not like the changes in cost to hospital stays, doctors benefits or you are losing valuable extras like dental, vision and OTC, it might be time to shop around.

Answered by Mark Garrett on October 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 19 other states

Answered by Mark Garrett Medicare Insurance Agent

Charles Fletcher · Answer

Yes, the ANOC will not remind you of all aspects of an insurance plan, only the relevant points that have changed. It may be beneficial to have an agent help you review your ANOC as they could highlight potential trouble spots or re-affirm that you are on a plan that suits your insurance needs very well.

Answered by Charles Fletcher on October 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in WA, AZ, ID, NV & TN

Answered by Charles Fletcher Medicare Insurance Agent

Sharri Crawford · Answer

Yes, Look at the difference between the present year and the up coming year, this is the whole purpose of the ANOC letter. Most of your Doctor visits and Hospital co-pays may or may not have changes small changes. If you had $3000 Dental, Glass $300, OTC 75 per quarter, These extra benefits can change a lot I have seen Dental drop to $1000-$500 on some plans. The Extra Benefits is what you will need to pay the most attention to.

Answered by Sharri Crawford on April 21, 2026

Broker Licensed in NM

Answered by Sharri Crawford Medicare Insurance Agent

Harshil Patel · Answer

When reviewing the Annual Notice of Change, consider the  premium, deductible, and copay adjustments, as well as changes to network doctors, pharmacy networks, and drug tiers. You can also look at changes to any other benefits that see important for you.
If there's something missing or changed, talk to your agent or the carrier.

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

Read the Annual Notice of Change thourghly. Look at your current year plan's benefits document & compare it with the ANOC next year's benefits. The premium for the plan. Look at the difference in coinsurance & copays. Any new uncovered prescription for Medicare Part B. 

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare to get information on all of your options.

Jim Tretola · Answer

First, check if your Plan is being terminated. If so, you must pick a new Plan by the end of the year. This is NOT a bad thing, as it will give you Guaranteed Issue of a Medicare Supplemental Plan, with NO medical underwriting that you may not have otherwise qualified for. If this is not want you want, you can pick one of the Medicare Advantage Plans that are available.

Answered by Jim Tretola on October 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, CA, CT & 6 other states

Answered by Jim Tretola Medicare Insurance Agent

Nick Sarant · Answer

YES, READ IT!!. IT'S THE ONE AND ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO DO DURING THE YEAR, SO THERE ARE NO SURPRISES.

Satoshi Aoki · Answer

Receiving an ANOC or rate increase notice usually means one thing: your premium is going up. 
If you just received this notice around your birthday, now is the perfect time to act.

Under the Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment (Birthday Rule), you have a 60-day window from your birthday to shop around and switch to a different insurance company for the same plan—without any medical underwriting or health questions.

Since all standardized Supplement plans offer identical benefits, there is no reason to pay more for the same coverage. 

Let’s review your new rate today and see how much we can save you by switching during your birthday window, before your birthday!

Ron Hamilton · Answer

Your ANOC typically starts out with a summary on the first few pages of the document.  It compares current year benefits to upcoming changes in benefits.

You should find the benefits that are most important to you and take a look at any changes.  If you see changes that negatively impact your benefits, call you agent to see if another plan is offering the benefits that are most important to you.

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

focus on changes to costs (premiums, copays, deductibles), your medications, and your doctors/hospitals to ensure your plan still meets your needs. Compare your current plan with alternatives and use the information to decide if you need to switch during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on October 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Boone · Answer

You should review your ANOC each year for changes to premiums, deductibles, and co-pays to avoid surprises. Other key areas to check include provider network changes, formulary updates, and changes to extra benefits like dental or vision.

Answered by Mark Boone on March 2, 2026

Agent Licensed in MN, FL, MI & NC, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Mark Boone Medicare Insurance Agent

Lillian Hill · Answer

Absolutely! You always want to be aware of any changes to your plan such as premium costs, out of pocket costs, increases or reductions or if any changes occur to your plan itself. Reviewing your ANOC is the barometer by which you evaluate and compare benefits for the upcoming plan year. 

Have you evaluated your recent ANOC? Have you any concerns? Are you satisfied, but may wish to explore additional options that you may qualify for?

Chad Hardy · Answer

Yes — your ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) is one of the most important pieces of mail you’ll get from your Medicare plan each year. It explains what’s changing for the upcoming year — things like your premiums, copays, drug coverage, and extra benefits.

When you look it over, take a few minutes to make sure your monthly premium and maximum out-of-pocket costs aren’t increasing too much. Also check the copays for hospital stays and specialist visits, since those can change year to year and really affect what you’ll pay if you need care. Make sure your prescriptions are still covered at the same cost, and that your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in-network. It’s also a good time to review any dental, vision, or other extra benefits to see if anything was added, removed, or reduced.

If you notice anything that could impact your coverage or costs, it’s worth scheduling a quick plan review with an agent before the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) to make sure you’re still in the plan that fits you best.

Nora Alishahi · Answer

You need to consider what works in your existing plan, see what are the changes and look if there are changes affecting your coverage or you may consider changing to a more comprehensive plan. Always we suggest to work with a license agent!

Answered by Nora Alishahi on October 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, CA, GA & 9 other states

Answered by Nora Alishahi Medicare Insurance Agent

Marta Iris González · Answer

✅ Yes! Your ANOC is one of the most important documents you’ll receive each year from your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. It tells you what’s changing for the next year — and helps you decide if you should stay or switch plans.

Here’s what to look for 👇

🔍 1. Premiums and Costs – Check for changes in your monthly premium, deductible, and copays.

💊 2. Drug Coverage – Make sure your prescriptions are still covered and haven’t moved to a higher cost tier.

🏥 3. Provider Network – Confirm your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals are still in-network.

💚 4. Extra Benefits – Review updates to dental, vision, hearing, or over-the-counter allowances.

📅 5. Coverage Dates – Remember: changes take effect January 1st, so review your ANOC early in the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7).

Joley Hanson · Answer

Every year your ANOC needs to be reviewed, if you have not reviewed plan changes for the year contact your agent to find out what has changed. ANOC's are typically mailed out in late September or early October. They are typically a small pamphlet of information giving updates on plan premiums and out of pocket costs, what is being added or taken out of then plan from the current year going into the next.

Answered by Joley Hanson on January 12, 2026

Broker Licensed in MN, FL, IA & 7 other states

Answered by Joley Hanson Medicare Insurance Agent

Keith McCarthy · Answer

Great question! Every person should scrutinize their ANOC - but not many are even aware that they receive it, let alone, review it.

I discovered that my deductible for Tier 4 drugs (like Eliquis!) went from $0 last year to $250 this year! --The ANOC is a perfect example of "the devil is in the details".

It may also be the opportunity to change plans. For example, In California, when your insurer makes changes that exceed a certain per centage, you may be able to move from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplemental plan without going through the medical questions in underwriting.

Derene Derricotte · Answer

Each year review the Summary of Changes by Checking for changes in monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and your annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). Note that small increases can add up over the year. Also, confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals, and review your Prescription Drug Coverage. Look over your extra benefits and compare to last year. Be aware of your Time to Make Changes, you may review and change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period which is October 15 – December 7. Changes take effect January 1.

Answered by Derene Derricotte on January 3, 2026

Broker Licensed in NJ, CT, DE, NY & PA

Answered by Derene Derricotte Medicare Insurance Agent

Are there any pointers or suggestions when looking over my ANOC (Annual Notice of Change)?

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