How to review your Medicare Annual Notice of Change before Annual Enrollment

Your Annual Notice of Change, often called an ANOC, is one of the most important pieces of mail Medicare beneficiaries receive each year. It explains how your current plan may change for the coming year, including costs, coverage, prescription drugs, doctors, pharmacies, and extra benefits. A careful review can help you decide whether your current coverage still fits your health needs, budget, and preferences before Medicare Annual Enrollment begins.

For older adults and family caregivers across the St. Louis Metro, Belleville, and nearby Illinois and Missouri communities, this does not have to be confusing or high-pressure. Show Me 65 offers personalized, no-cost Medicare guidance to help people understand their options and make informed choices.

What Is an Annual Notice of Change?

An Annual Notice of Change is a document sent by your Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. It outlines the plan’s changes for the next calendar year and compares them with your current coverage.

Even if you have been happy with your plan, it is worth reading this notice. Plans can change from year to year, and a change that seems small on paper may matter a great deal if it affects a prescription you take, a doctor you see regularly, or a service you rely on.

If you have Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan, you should receive an ANOC from your drug plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your notice may cover both your medical and prescription drug benefits. People with Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, should still review their Part D coverage each year if they have a separate drug plan.

When Does the ANOC Arrive?

Most Medicare Advantage and Part D plan members receive their Annual Notice of Change by the end of September. The notice is meant to give you time to understand upcoming Medicare plan changes before the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7.

That enrollment window is when many people can change Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D plans, move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan. The right choice depends on your individual circumstances, so it is helpful to review the notice as soon as it arrives rather than setting it aside until the last minute.

Start With Your Monthly Premium and Out-of-Pocket Costs

First, look for changes to your monthly premium. A plan with a low or $0 premium may still have other costs that deserve attention, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and the annual maximum out-of-pocket amount.

Ask yourself how often you expect to use care in the year ahead. If you see specialists regularly, receive outpatient treatment, anticipate surgery, or manage a chronic condition, changes in copays can add up quickly. Medicare costs are not only about the monthly premium; they are also about what you may pay when you actually receive care.

Make a note of the costs that matter most to you, such as primary care visits, specialist appointments, hospital stays, diagnostic testing, urgent care, and outpatient procedures. This gives you a more realistic picture when comparing Medicare plans.

Review Your Prescription Drug Coverage Carefully

A Medicare prescription drug review is especially important because formularies can change every year. A formulary is the plan’s list of covered medications. Your ANOC may show whether a drug is moving to a different coverage tier, facing new restrictions, or no longer covered.

Check each medication you take, including the exact name, dosage, and frequency. Then look for changes in:

• Whether the drug is still covered
• Its formulary tier and expected copay or coinsurance
• Prior authorization requirements
• Step therapy rules
• Quantity limits

Also confirm that your preferred pharmacy remains in the plan’s network. A pharmacy may still accept your insurance but be considered out of network or standard network rather than preferred, which can mean higher costs. For many people, reviewing prescription drug coverage is one of the most valuable parts of an annual Medicare plan comparison.

Confirm Your Doctors, Hospitals, and Provider Network

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, review the provider network for the coming year. Doctors, specialists, medical groups, hospitals, and other facilities can enter or leave a plan network. A plan that worked well this year may be less convenient if a trusted provider is no longer included.

Start with the doctors you see most often. Then consider specialists, preferred hospitals, therapists, and any care team members involved in ongoing treatment. If keeping certain providers is important to you, verify network participation directly before making a change.

This is also a good time to think about how you prefer to receive care. Some people value a broad provider network. Others are comfortable with a more structured network if the plan’s costs and benefits work well for them. There is no single best Medicare plan for everyone.

Look Beyond Medical Coverage at Extra Benefits

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, transportation, over-the-counter allowances, or meal support after a hospital stay. These benefits can be helpful, but they can change from one year to the next.

Review the details rather than relying on a summary. For example, dental coverage may have a yearly allowance, a limited provider network, waiting periods, or specific rules for major services. An over-the-counter benefit may have a different amount, ordering process, or list of eligible items.

Extra benefits should be part of the conversation, but they should not outweigh the essentials. Your doctors, prescriptions, medical coverage, and expected costs usually deserve the closest attention.

A Practical ANOC Review Checklist

Set aside your ANOC, your current plan materials, a list of medications, and your preferred doctors and pharmacies. Then work through this simple checklist:

• Compare this year’s monthly premium with next year’s premium.
• Check deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and the maximum out-of-pocket amount.
• Review every prescription for coverage, tier changes, and utilization rules.
• Confirm your pharmacy’s network status and prescription costs there.
• Verify that your doctors, specialists, hospitals, and preferred facilities remain in network.
• Read changes to dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and other extra benefits.
• Consider whether your health needs, travel habits, finances, or provider preferences have changed.
• Compare available options based on your own situation, not a neighbor’s plan or a television advertisement.

If the notice shows changes you do not understand, that does not automatically mean you need a new plan. It simply means it is time to take a closer look.

Medicare Choices Should Be Personal

Medicare coverage is not one-size-fits-all. The plan that makes sense for one person may not fit another person’s doctors, medications, budget, or comfort level with networks and referrals.

Some people prefer Medicare Advantage plans that combine medical and prescription drug coverage in one plan. Others prefer Original Medicare paired with Medicare Supplement insurance and a separate Part D plan. The best approach is to compare Medicare Advantage and Medigap options based on the coverage you need and the way you want to use your health care.

Show Me 65 is an independent Medicare agency, not tied to one insurance carrier. That independence allows the team to focus on unbiased Medicare information and practical recommendations rather than pushing a single plan. Whether you live in Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Kirkwood, Creve Coeur, or elsewhere in the St. Louis Metro, the goal is simple: help you understand your choices without pressure.

FAQ

Do I have to change plans if I receive an ANOC?

No. Receiving an Annual Notice of Change does not mean you have to switch plans. It means your plan has changes for the next year, and you should review them to decide whether your current coverage still works for you.

When should I review my Medicare plan?

Review your coverage as soon as your ANOC arrives, usually by the end of September. This gives you time to compare options before Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7.

What should I bring to a Medicare annual plan review?

Bring your Annual Notice of Change, Medicare card, current plan card, a complete medication list with dosages, and the names of your doctors, specialists, preferred hospitals, and pharmacies. It is also helpful to know which benefits matter most to you and what monthly budget feels comfortable.

Can I keep my Medigap plan and change my Part D plan?

In many cases, yes. If you have Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement insurance, and a stand-alone Part D plan, you may be able to review and change your prescription drug plan during Annual Enrollment while keeping your Medigap policy. Individual circumstances can vary, so it is wise to review your situation carefully.

Can family caregivers get help with a loved one’s Medicare review?

Yes. Family caregivers often help organize medications, provider information, and plan documents. Show Me 65 can provide clear Medicare guidance for both Medicare beneficiaries and the family members helping them make coverage decisions.

Get Local, No-Cost Medicare Guidance

Reading your Annual Notice of Change is a smart first step. If you would like a second set of eyes on your plan changes, Show Me 65 provides personalized, no-cost Medicare guidance for older adults and caregivers throughout the St. Louis Metro, Illinois, and Missouri.

Call Show Me 65 at (618) 207-2080 or request a review to discuss your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and coverage preferences. There is no pressure—just clear, local help with Medicare choices.