ANOC Guide: What to Expect from Your Annual Notice of Change

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D), you’ll receive a Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) every fall. This letter isn’t junk mail, but rather your first look at how your plan will work starting January 1 of the coming year, including any updates to coverage, costs, and rules. Plans are required to send it each year so you have time to review your options before fall enrollment.

When to expect your ANOC

Plans deliver ANOC materials in September, and many beneficiaries receive them by September 30. Your plan may mail a paper copy or, if you opted in, send a digital notice with a link to view the document online. If October arrives and you still don’t see it, contact your plan immediately to request a copy.

How the ANOC fits with key Medicare dates

The ANOC arrives just ahead of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (also called the Annual Election Period), which runs October 15–December 7 each year. During this window, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change or add a Part D plan, or return to Original Medicare with or without drug coverage. Any changes you make become effective January 1.

If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan and you miss fall enrollment or want to make one more change, there’s also the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1–March 31, when you can make a one-time switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan. Certain life events (moving, losing other coverage, qualifying for Extra Help/LIS, and more) may also create a Special Enrollment Period outside the usual dates.

What’s inside the ANOC (and how it differs from the EOC)

Your ANOC summarizes what’s changing in your plan for the next year. It highlights updates so you can quickly spot differences from your current benefits. Your plan also provides an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) each year. This is the full, detailed handbook that explains all benefits, how to use the plan, appeal rights, and member responsibilities. Think of ANOC as the “what’s changing” snapshot and the EOC as the complete rulebook.

Typical items covered in an ANOC

• Premiums, deductibles, copays/coinsurance; changes to out-of-pocket limits (for MA); Part D cost-sharing tiers and deductibles.

• Covered services, prior authorization or referral rules, and benefit enhancements or reductions (for MA).

• Provider and pharmacy networks including whether your doctors, hospitals, and preferred pharmacies remain in-network.

• Drug formulary updates medications added/removed or moved to different tiers, and any new utilization management requirements.

• Administrative updates (how to get care, contact details), plus where to find your EOC for full details.

Tip: CMS provides standardized templates that plans use for ANOC and EOC, which helps ensure you see comparable information from year to year.

What to do when your ANOC arrives

1. Read it front to back. Flag every item that affects you, especially premium changes, medical or drug copays, and any new prior authorization requirements. Cross-check your most-used benefits and your current medications.

2. Verify doctors and pharmacies. Call your providers and preferred pharmacies or check the plan’s directory to confirm they’ll remain in-network next year. Network shifts can change your costs even if your benefits look similar on paper.

3. Compare plans during Open Enrollment. Use the ANOC as a baseline to shop alternatives from October 15–December 7. Even small cost changes can add up over a year, and a different plan might cover your drugs or provider network more favorably. Changes take effect January 1.

4. Review your EOC. Once your EOC is available (often in the fall), confirm details, exceptions, and processes like appeals or coverage rules. The EOC is the binding document for your plan’s benefits.

5. Act quickly if something’s missing. If you didn’t receive your ANOC by the end of September, contact your plan and request it immediately so you can review before enrollment begins.

Why the ANOC matters for your wallet and care

Costs and coverage can change each year, even if your plan’s name stays the same. For 2025, for example, Part D programs are adjusting to policy changes like a cap on annual out-of-pocket drug costs and other updates that may shift how plans structure premiums, deductibles, and copays. Your ANOC and EOC explain how your plan is implementing those changes so you aren’t surprised at the pharmacy counter or a doctor visit in January.

Common questions

Do I need to do anything if nothing major has changed?
Not necessarily. If the ANOC shows minimal changes and your providers and medications are still covered affordably, you can stay put. Your plan will renew automatically for the new year. Still, it’s smart to compare options briefly, better value plans may be available.

What if my medication moves to a higher tier or is no longer covered?
Check the ANOC’s formulary notes, then look at alternatives in the EOC or talk to your prescriber about therapeutic equivalents. If the change makes your costs jump, compare other Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during Open Enrollment to find better coverage.

Is the ANOC the same for everyone?
Each plan sends its own ANOC, and contents vary based on the benefits you have now and what’s changing next year. The structure is standardized by CMS, but the specifics are unique to your plan.

What if I miss the fall deadline?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may still be able to make one change during the Jan 1-Mar 31 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Certain life events can also qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period; check with Medicare or your plan for eligibility.

Getting help

Understanding what’s changing, and what it means for your care, can be tricky. If you want guidance, you can:

• Use official Medicare resources like MedicareSignUps.com to compare plans and estimate drug and medical costs for next year.

• Speak with a licensed Medicare agent who can walk through your ANOC, verify your doctors and prescriptions, and compare multiple plan options side-by-side during Open Enrollment.

Either route ensures you’re making a confident choice for the coming year and that there are no surprises when January 1 arrives.

Bottom line: Your ANOC is your early warning system for next year’s benefits. Read it carefully in September, verify your providers and prescriptions, and use the Oct 15–Dec 7 window to switch if needed. Keep the EOC handy for the fine print. Doing this once a year protects both your health and your budget.