What Is the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)?

If you're enrolled in a Medicare plan, you likely receive a document each fall called the ANOC.

It stands for Annual Notice of Change.

It's more important than it looks.

What the ANOC Includes

The ANOC outlines changes taking effect January 1, such as:

Premium adjustments
Copay or coinsurance updates
Formulary changes
Drug tier changes
Provider network updates
Benefit modifications
Maximum out-of-pocket changes

It applies to your existing plan - it's a summary of what's different from the current year.

When You Receive It

Plans are required to send the ANOC by September 30 each year.

This timing is intentional - it gives you the opportunity to evaluate changes before the Annual Enrollment Period opens on October 15.

Why It's Overlooked

The document can be long.

It may feel technical.

So many people file it away without reviewing it carefully.

Then January arrives.

And something feels different.

What You Should Look For

Focus on:

Prescription coverage changes - have your drugs moved to a different tier?
Specialist or hospital cost-sharing updates - are your copays the same?
Maximum out-of-pocket changes - has your annual cap shifted?
Network participation - are your doctors still listed?
Premium changes - what will your monthly cost be next year?

Small adjustments can create meaningful financial differences.

How to Read Your ANOC Efficiently

You don't need to read every page. Focus on:

Section on plan costs - premiums, deductibles, copays
Section on drug coverage changes - formulary and tier updates
Section on provider network changes - any changes to your network
Section on benefit changes - dental, vision, hearing, and supplemental benefits

Your plan's website may also have a summary of changes that's easier to navigate.

When to Review It

The ANOC arrives before the Annual Enrollment Period.

That timing is intentional.

It gives you the opportunity to evaluate whether your current plan still fits - before the October 15 AEP window opens.

What to Do After Reviewing

If your plan's changes look acceptable:

Confirm your doctors and prescriptions are still well-covered
No action required - your coverage automatically renews

If changes create concerns:

Compare alternative plans during AEP (October 15 – December 7)
New coverage takes effect January 1

Final Thought

The ANOC isn't marketing material.

It's your plan's structural update.

If you'd like help reviewing your ANOC and confirming whether your plan still aligns, we can walk through it together.

Clarity before January prevents surprises in January.

Benefits vary by plan, county, and eligibility. Always verify with the plan's Summary of Benefits before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ANOC is a document your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan sends each fall outlining what is changing in your coverage for the upcoming year. It covers premium adjustments, copay or coinsurance updates, formulary and tier changes, network updates, and benefit modifications. It applies to your existing plan, not to alternative plans on the market.

When should I receive my ANOC?

Plans are required to send the ANOC by September 30 each year. That timing is intentional. . . it gives you a window to review the changes before the Annual Enrollment Period opens on October 15. If you have not received yours by early October, contact your plan.

What should I look for in my ANOC?

Focus on a few areas rather than reading every page. Check prescription tier changes for your medications, specialist and hospital cost-sharing updates, the maximum out-of-pocket amount, network participation for your doctors, and any premium adjustment. Small line-item changes can add up to a meaningful difference in annual cost.

What is the difference between the ANOC and the Evidence of Coverage?

The ANOC summarizes what is changing from the current year to the next. The Evidence of Coverage is the more detailed document that explains how the plan works in full, including all benefits, rules, and cost-sharing. The ANOC is shorter and more focused. . . the EOC is the comprehensive reference.

What should I do after reading my ANOC?

If the changes look acceptable and your providers and prescriptions are still well-covered, no action is required and your plan automatically renews. If the changes create concerns, the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) is when you can compare alternatives and make a change effective January 1. Reviewing early gives you more time to decide.