Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change: How to Read It Before December 7
What the Notice Is
Every fall, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan, your plan sends you a letter called the Annual Notice of Change, often shortened to ANOC. According to Medicare.gov, it lists changes in coverage, costs and more that take effect in January. Medicare says plans send it in September.
It can look like routine mail. It is worth opening, because it tells you what your plan will look like next year before you decide whether to keep it.
Why It Matters Now
Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, according to the SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) network. That is the window to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Your notice is the best starting point for deciding whether you need to do anything.
How to Read Your Notice
- Find your notice. If you cannot find it, call the number on your plan card and ask for another copy. Medicare.gov says to contact your plan if you do not receive it.
- Look for the list of changes. Plans usually summarize what is different next year. Check for changes to your monthly premium, your deductible, and what you pay for doctor visits and prescriptions.
- Check your own medicines and doctors. Make a short list of the prescriptions you take and the doctors you see. See whether each one is still covered or still in the plan’s network.
- Compare it with other plans. Use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare to see what other plans in your area would cost with your medicines.
- Decide. You may keep your plan, switch, or ask for help. You do not have to act if the plan still meets your needs.
Free Help Is Available
You do not have to work through this alone. A SHIP counselor offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling and can help you compare costs, review coverage and check provider networks. Find your local counselor at shiphelp.org, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Be careful with calls and mail during this season. Medicare will not ask you to pay with gift cards or share your Social Security number to “keep your coverage.” If someone pressures you, hang up and call the number on your Medicare card or plan card.
This article is general information, not personalized insurance or financial advice. Plans and rules vary by area, so check your own situation with your plan, Medicare or a SHIP counselor. Information is current as of November 2026.
More on Seniors Tips
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reviewing Your Coverage
- Free Medicare Help: How a SHIP Counselor Can Walk You Through Your Options
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: The Key Differences Explained
