The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a letter or email from your Medicare Advantage or drug plan that lists changes to costs and coverage starting January 1. Medicare's handbook says your plan sends it, printed or electronic, by September 30. Read it before Open Enrollment ends on December 7. That's your main chance to switch if the changes don't work for you.
Who gets an Annual Notice of Change?
If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare drug plan, your plan sends one each year. If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and no drug plan, you won't get one. Your Medigap insurer may send its own notice if your premium changes.
You may also get an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) around the same time. Medicare.gov says the EOC gives details about what the plan covers and how much you pay. The ANOC is the shorter list of what's changing.
What if I didn't get it?
Check your email and any online plan account, since some plans send it electronically. If you still can't find it, call the member services number on your plan card and ask for a copy.
What to say:
"I didn't receive my Annual Notice of Change for 2027. Can you mail or email me a copy? Can you also tell me if my premium, deductible, or drug coverage is changing?"
What should I check first?
Start with the monthly premium. Then look at the medical deductible, if your plan has one, and the drug deductible. Medicare.gov says no Medicare drug plan can have a deductible higher than $700 in 2027 ($615 in 2026).
Medicare Advantage Plans also have a yearly limit on what you pay for covered Part A and Part B services. See if yours changed. Last, check the copays for the visits you actually make, like your primary care doctor or a specialist you see every few months.
How do I check my drugs?
A drug change is what usually shows up at the pharmacy counter in January. In the ANOC, look for:
- Drugs removed from the plan's list. If one of yours is gone, look for a plan that covers it, or ask your doctor about other options.
- Tier changes. A move to a higher tier usually means a higher copay.
- New prior authorization, quantity limits, or step therapy.
Medicare.gov lists the 2027 out-of-pocket cap on covered Part D drugs at $2,400 (up from $2,100 in 2026). After you reach it, you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. See the Part D out-of-pocket cap.
If a drug you take is being dropped and you want to stay with the plan, see Part D formulary exceptions.
How do I check my doctors and pharmacy?
The ANOC may not list every network change. To be sure:
- Look up each doctor, hospital, and your pharmacy in the plan's 2027 directory.
- Call the doctor's office and ask, "Will you be in network with [plan name] in 2027?"
- At Medicare.gov/plan-compare, you can add your providers and see if they're in network with plans you're considering.
If a key doctor is leaving the network, see Medicare Advantage out-of-network bills before you decide to stay.
What about extra benefits?
Some Medicare Advantage Plans add or cut extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or gym memberships. Check whether a benefit you use is changing. See dental, vision, and hearing bills with Medicare.