To read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), focus first on what is actually changing for next year: your premium, deductible, maximum out-of-pocket limit, hospital and specialist costs, prescription coverage, supplemental benefits, provider-network information, and other plan rules. You don’t necessarily need to read every page from beginning to end to identify the changes that deserve your attention.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, your ANOC is one of the most important pieces of Medicare mail you’ll receive this fall.

Don’t throw it away.

According to Medicare’s official ANOC guidance, your plan sends the Annual Notice of Change each fall to explain changes in coverage, costs and other plan details that will take effect in January.

The problem?

A Medicare plan document can look overwhelming.

So instead of treating your ANOC like a book, let’s treat it like a 15-minute annual Medicare checkup.

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What Is a Medicare ANOC?

ANOC stands for:

Annual Notice of Change

Your Medicare health or drug plan sends this document each year to explain what’s changing for the upcoming plan year.

Those changes can potentially involve:

• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles
• Copayments
• Coinsurance
• Maximum out-of-pocket limits
• Prescription drug coverage
• Supplemental benefits
• Provider networks
• Service areas
• Other plan rules or coverage

Medicare specifically recommends reviewing the changes to determine whether your plan will continue to meet your needs next year.

If you want a deeper explanation before working through your document, start with our Medicare Annual Notice of Change Guide.

Then come back here with your ANOC in front of you.

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Your 15-Minute Medicare ANOC Review

Here’s the strategy.

Don’t start by trying to understand every sentence.

Instead, grab:

Your ANOC

A pen or highlighter

Your medication list

Your provider list

and ideally:

Last year’s plan information

Then set aside about 15 minutes.

We’re going to look for nine things.

Time	What to Review	What You’re Looking For
1–2 min	Premium	Is it increasing or decreasing?
2–3 min	Deductibles	Are you responsible for more upfront?
3–4 min	MOOP	Has your maximum medical exposure changed?
4–6 min	Medical copays	Hospital, specialist, outpatient and other costs
6–9 min	Prescriptions	Formulary, tiers and drug rules
9–11 min	Supplemental benefits	Dental, vision, hearing, OTC and others
11–13 min	Provider/network information	Anything affecting access to care
13–14 min	Other plan rules	Authorizations, coverage or service changes
14–15 min	Contact/plan information	What needs additional verification?

Let’s work through it.

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Minute 1–2: Find Your 2027 Premium

Start with the easiest number.

What will the plan itself cost each month in 2027?

Compare the new premium with what you’re currently paying.

Write:

2026 premium: $______

2027 premium: $______

Difference: $______

Then circle:

INCREASE

DECREASE

NO CHANGE

But don’t stop your comparison here.

A plan with a low or even $0 additional monthly premium isn’t automatically your least expensive option.

Medicare Advantage costs can also include deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and Medicare explains that these amounts can vary by plan and change from year to year.

So think of the premium as:

Checkpoint #1—not the final answer.

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Minute 2–3: Check the Deductible

Next, find any deductible changes.

A deductible is generally the amount you pay before applicable plan coverage begins paying according to the plan’s rules.

Depending on your coverage, you may need to consider:

• Medical deductible
• Prescription drug deductible
• Whether certain services or drug tiers are excluded from a deductible

Write:

Current deductible: $______

2027 deductible: $______

Then ask:

Did it increase?

Did it decrease?

Does it apply differently next year?

A relatively small premium difference can become less important if another part of the plan’s cost structure changes substantially.

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Minute 3–4: Find the Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit

If you have Medicare Advantage, this is a number I don’t want you to skip.

MOOP = Maximum Out-of-Pocket

Medicare Advantage plans have an annual limit on what you pay for covered Medicare Part A and Part B healthcare services subject to the plan’s rules.

Once you reach the applicable limit, the plan pays 100% for covered health services for the rest of the calendar year.

Medicare confirms that Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits vary by plan.

Official resource: Medicare — Understanding Health Plan Costs

Write:

2026 MOOP: $______

2027 MOOP: $______

Difference: $______

Then circle the new number.

Why does MOOP matter?

Because your premium tells you what you pay to maintain the plan.

Your MOOP helps you understand something different:

How much financial exposure could you have if you need substantial covered medical care?

This is why Medicare Plan Assistance recommends comparing premium and MOOP together, rather than shopping by premium alone.

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Minutes 4–6: Look at the Medical Services You Actually Use

Now find changes in medical cost sharing.

You don’t necessarily need to compare every service in the document.

Start with the services you’re most likely to use.

Circle These Costs

Service	Current	2027	Changed?
Primary care	$___	$___	☐
Specialist	$___	$___	☐
Inpatient hospital	$___	$___	☐
Emergency room	$___	$___	☐
Urgent care	$___	$___	☐
Outpatient surgery	$___	$___	☐
Diagnostic imaging	$___	$___	☐
Ambulance	$___	$___	☐
Physical therapy	$___	$___	☐
Durable medical equipment	$___	$___	☐

This is where an ANOC starts becoming personal.

Imagine two beneficiaries.

Person A

Rarely goes to the doctor and takes few medications.

Person B

Sees a cardiologist monthly, receives regular imaging and expects surgery next year.

The same $10 specialist-copay increase doesn’t have the same financial significance for both people.

Don’t simply ask:

“Did my plan change?”

Ask:

“Did my plan change where I actually use healthcare?”

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Minutes 6–9: Review Prescription Drug Changes Carefully

Give prescriptions more time than almost anything else in your ANOC review.

Your medication needs can interact with:

• Formulary coverage
• Drug tiers
• Copays
• Coinsurance
• Deductibles
• Prior authorization
• Step therapy
• Quantity limits
• Pharmacy choice

Medicare specifically explains that prescription costs can vary based on your medications, whether they’re on the plan’s formulary, their tier, the coverage stage you’re in and the pharmacy you use.

You can learn more from Medicare’s official Part D cost guidance.

Don’t just read the ANOC.

Get your medication list out.

For every prescription, record:

Medication	Dose	Quantity	Pharmacy	2027 Concern?
__________	____	____	________	☐
__________	____	____	________	☐
__________	____	____	________	☐
__________	____	____	________	☐
__________	____	____	________	☐

Then investigate anything your ANOC identifies as changing.

Questions to ask:

Is my medication still covered?

Did its tier change?

Did my cost sharing change?

Is prior authorization required?

Is step therapy involved?

Is there a quantity limit?

Does my usual pharmacy still make sense under the plan?

This is where having an accurate prescription list becomes extremely useful when you compare Medicare plans for 2027.

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Minutes 9–11: Review Dental, Vision, Hearing, OTC and Other Benefits

Now we get to the benefits that receive a lot of attention in Medicare Advantage advertising.

Depending on the specific plan, supplemental benefits may include things like:

• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• OTC allowances
• Transportation
• Fitness
• Certain food-related benefits for eligible members
• Other supplemental services

Your ANOC may tell you that a benefit is:

Increasing

Decreasing

Being modified

Being removed

Changing how it can be used

Don’t simply compare the headline dollar amount.

For dental, for example, ask:

• What services are covered?
• Is my dentist in-network if a network applies?
• What limits apply?
• Are crowns covered?
• Are dentures covered?
• Are implants covered?
• How frequently can certain services be received?

An advertised benefit isn’t valuable if you can’t actually use it the way you expect.

That’s why we recommend evaluating Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits only after you’ve considered the medical foundation of the plan.

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Minutes 11–13: Look for Provider and Network Information

This deserves special attention.

Your plan’s ANOC may contain important information about network-related changes or direct you to updated provider information.

Medicare’s annual handbook specifically notes that Annual Notices of Change can include changes involving provider networks and service areas.

Official resource: Medicare & You

But don’t assume that reading the ANOC alone completes your provider check.

Before deciding to remain in or switch Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, independently verify the providers and facilities that matter to you.

Check:

☐ Primary care doctor

☐ Cardiologist

☐ Oncologist

☐ Endocrinologist

☐ Orthopedist

☐ Other specialists

☐ Preferred hospital

☐ Surgery center

☐ Imaging facility

☐ Laboratory

And remember:

A doctor’s office saying:

“Yes, we take Medicare.”

doesn’t necessarily answer whether that provider participates in your exact Medicare Advantage plan’s network.

Verify the specific plan.

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Minute 13–14: Look for Other Plan-Rule Changes

Now scan for changes involving how you access care.

Look for language concerning:

Prior authorization

Referrals

Service-area changes

Coverage rules

Network rules

Prescription utilization requirements

Other changes affecting how benefits are accessed

You don’t necessarily need to understand every technical term immediately.

Instead:

Circle anything you don’t understand.

That’s what we’re going to investigate next.

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Minute 14–15: Create Your “Circle These Changes” Worksheet

Now we’re going to turn your ANOC into a one-page decision sheet.

My 2027 ANOC Review

MONEY

☐ Premium changed

Old: $_____ → New: $_____

☐ Deductible changed

Old: $_____ → New: $_____

☐ MOOP changed

Old: $_____ → New: $_____

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MEDICAL CARE

☐ PCP cost changed

☐ Specialist cost changed

☐ Hospital cost changed

☐ Emergency-room cost changed

☐ Imaging cost changed

☐ Outpatient surgery changed

☐ Other important service changed: __________

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PRESCRIPTIONS

☐ Medication no longer covered

☐ Tier changed

☐ Copay/coinsurance changed

☐ Prior authorization changed

☐ Step therapy applies

☐ Quantity limit applies

☐ Pharmacy considerations need review

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PROVIDERS

☐ PCP needs verification

☐ Specialist needs verification

☐ Hospital needs verification

☐ Facility needs verification

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EXTRA BENEFITS

☐ Dental changed

☐ Vision changed

☐ Hearing changed

☐ OTC changed

☐ Transportation changed

☐ Other benefit changed: __________

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QUESTIONS I NEED ANSWERED

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Green, Yellow or Red: Grade Your ANOC

Here’s another simple way to finish your review.

Give every important change one of three labels.

Rating	Meaning
🟢 GREEN	No meaningful concern for me
🟡 YELLOW	I need more information
🔴 RED	This could materially affect my coverage, providers or costs

For example:

🟢 Green

Your premium stays the same.

🟡 Yellow

Your specialist copay increased, but you’re not sure how often you’ll need specialist care next year.

🔴 Red

An important medication appears to have a significant coverage change that requires investigation.

Or:

🔴 Red

You discover that an important provider or facility may not participate next year.

The purpose isn’t to panic over every change.

It’s to identify the changes that deserve investigation.

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What If Nothing Important Changed?

That’s possible.

And if your plan still fits your:

• Doctors
• Prescriptions
• Hospitals
• Budget
• Healthcare needs

you may decide you’re satisfied with your existing coverage.

But don’t reach that conclusion because:

“I had the plan last year and liked it.”

Reach it because:

“I reviewed what’s changing for next year, checked what matters to me and determined that the coverage still fits my needs.”

That’s a much stronger Medicare decision.

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What If Several Important Things Changed?

Now you have something worth comparing.

Suppose your ANOC shows:

🔴 Higher specialist copays

🔴 Higher hospital costs

🟡 Higher MOOP

🟡 Dental benefit changes

🔴 An important prescription change

That’s not automatically a reason to leave the plan.

But it is a reason to investigate your alternatives during the appropriate enrollment period.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs annually from October 15 through December 7.

During this period, eligible beneficiaries can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage for the following year.

Use our Medicare Open Enrollment resources to understand what you should be reviewing as the enrollment period approaches.

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ANOC vs. Evidence of Coverage: What’s the Difference?

These documents work together, but they serve different purposes.

Document	Think of It As
ANOC	What’s changing next year
Evidence of Coverage (EOC)	Detailed explanation of what your plan covers and what you pay

Medicare explains that the EOC provides details about what your Medicare health or drug plan covers, how much you pay and more.

You can review Medicare’s official Evidence of Coverage explanation.

So when your ANOC raises a question, the EOC may be one of the places to look for additional detail.

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What If You Don’t Receive an ANOC?

Don’t assume that means your plan isn’t changing.

Medicare says that if you don’t receive this important document, you should contact your plan.

You can also access Medicare information through:

Medicare.gov

or call:

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

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Don’t Make This ANOC Mistake

One of the easiest mistakes is reviewing only the benefits that improved.

Imagine seeing:

Dental benefit increased!

That’s good news.

But several pages later:

Hospital cost sharing increased.

And elsewhere:

An important medication changed tiers.

Which change matters more?

That depends on your healthcare.

That’s why the order of our ANOC review is intentional:

1. Premium

2. Deductible

3. MOOP

4. Medical costs

5. Prescriptions

6. Providers

7. Plan rules

8. Supplemental benefits

We’re trying to understand the whole plan, not simply find the most attractive benefit.

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Your ANOC Isn’t Telling You Which Plan Is Best

This is another important distinction.

Your ANOC tells you what’s changing in your current plan.

It doesn’t automatically tell you whether another plan available in your area could fit you better.

That’s where comparison begins.

If your ANOC identifies meaningful changes, you can use our Compare Medicare Plans resources to understand the factors worth comparing.

A meaningful Medicare comparison should consider:

• ZIP code
• Plan availability
• Doctors
• Specialists
• Hospitals
• Prescriptions
• Premium
• Deductibles
• Medical copays
• MOOP
• HMO/PPO structure
• Prior authorization
• Supplemental benefits
• Quality information
• Your anticipated healthcare needs

Not simply:

“Which plan gives me the most extras?”

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Have Your 2027 ANOC? We Can Help You Review It.

If your Annual Notice of Change has arrived and you’re staring at it wondering:

“What does all of this actually mean for me?”

that’s exactly the type of question Medicare Plan Assistance can help you work through.

Have these nearby when you contact us:

1. Your ANOC

2. Your medication list

3. Your doctors and specialists

4. Your preferred hospital

5. Your questions

Then we can help you identify which changes deserve a closer look and, when appropriate, compare available Medicare options for 2027.

Call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.

Tell us:

“I received my ANOC and want help understanding what changed.”

We’ll start there.

Local Help. Clear Answers. Better Decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Medicare ANOC?

ANOC stands for Annual Notice of Change. It’s a document Medicare health and drug plans send each fall explaining changes in coverage, costs and other plan details that will take effect in January.

When should I receive my Medicare ANOC?

Medicare says beneficiaries in Medicare plans receive the Annual Notice of Change in the fall, generally in September. If you don’t receive it, contact your plan.

What should I look for in my Medicare ANOC?

Pay particular attention to premiums, deductibles, medical copays, maximum out-of-pocket limits, prescription coverage, supplemental benefits, provider-network information and other plan rules that could affect how you receive care.

What does MOOP mean?

MOOP means maximum out-of-pocket. Medicare Advantage plans have an annual limit on what you pay for covered Medicare Part A and Part B healthcare services under the plan’s rules. The limit varies by plan.

Should I check my prescriptions when reviewing my ANOC?

Yes. Review changes involving your plan’s formulary, drug tiers, cost sharing and utilization requirements, and compare them against the exact medications you take.

Should I check my doctors even if the ANOC doesn’t say my doctor is leaving?

Yes. Before choosing Medicare Advantage coverage for the next year, independently verify important doctors, specialists and facilities with the specific plan.

What’s the difference between an ANOC and Evidence of Coverage?

Think of the ANOC as a summary of what’s changing for the upcoming year. The Evidence of Coverage provides more detailed information about the plan’s coverage, costs and rules.

Does receiving an ANOC mean I have to change Medicare plans?

No. The purpose is to inform you about upcoming changes so you can decide whether your existing plan continues to meet your needs.

Can someone help me understand my ANOC?

Yes. You can contact your plan, Medicare or a licensed Medicare professional. Medicare Plan Assistance can help you identify changes that may deserve additional review. Call (561) 808-9410.