What Is the Annual Notice of Change and What Should You Do With It?

Got your Annual Notice of Change letter? Here's what it means, what changes to look for, and exactly what to do before Medicare's October 15 deadline.

Author: Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor | Published August 25, 2026 Reading time: 6 min read

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Quick Answer

The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a letter Medicare Advantage and Part D plan members receive each September explaining what will change about their plan starting January 1. You're required by federal law to receive it by September 30. If anything in it affects your doctors, drugs, or costs, you have until December 7 to switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period.

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Key Takeaways

• Every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan must mail your ANOC by September 30 each year.
• The letter covers changes to premiums, copays, drug coverage, and provider networks — any of which can affect what you actually pay.
• Florida's Medicare Advantage enrollment rate is 56.1% (CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment, 2024), meaning most Florida seniors on Medicare will receive this letter.
• The 2026 Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum cap for in-network services is $9,350 (CMS, 2025) — your plan's actual maximum may be lower, and that number can change year to year.
• You can compare your options using our plan comparison tool before the December 7 deadline.

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Table of Contents

1. What Is the Annual Notice of Change? 2. What Does the ANOC Actually Cover? 3. Why Florida Residents Should Read It Especially Carefully 4. How to Read the Letter Without Getting Lost 5. What to Do If Something Has Changed 6. What If You Don't Get an ANOC? 7. Should You Stay or Switch?

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What Is the Annual Notice of Change?

The Annual Notice of Change — sometimes called the ANOC — is a federally required document that your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan must send you every September. It lays out, in plain terms, what is changing about your plan for the coming year.

Think of it as your plan's way of saying: "Here's what's different starting January 1." The problem is, most people set it on the kitchen counter and never open it. That can be a costly mistake.

Federal rules require plans to mail the ANOC no later than September 30. If you don't have one in hand by early October, that's worth following up on. You can learn more about how enrollment periods work at our Medicare enrollment periods guide.

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What Does the ANOC Actually Cover?

The ANOC is organized around the changes your plan is making — not a full summary of every benefit. Here's what it typically addresses:

• Premium changes — Your monthly plan premium may go up, go down, or stay flat. This is separate from your Part B premium, which is $185/month in 2026 (CMS, November 2025).
• Copays and cost-sharing — A specialist visit that cost you $45 in 2026 might cost $55 in 2027. These shifts add up quickly over a year.
• Drug formulary changes — Medications that were covered last year may be moved to a higher tier, require prior authorization, or be dropped entirely.
• Network changes — Your primary care doctor or a specialist you see regularly may no longer be in-network.
• Out-of-pocket maximum — The federal cap for in-network services in Medicare Advantage plans is $9,350 for 2026 (CMS, 2025), but individual plans may set lower limits — and those limits can change.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Part D drug plans are now subject to a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap starting in 2025, and covered insulin is capped at $35/month. The ANOC will show whether your plan's structure changed around these rules. See our Part D drug coverage guide for more on how drug coverage works.

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Why Florida Residents Should Read It Especially Carefully

Florida has one of the most competitive — and frequently shifting — Medicare Advantage markets in the country. With 56.1% of Florida Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans (CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment, 2024), the state is well above the national average of about 54% (CMS, 2024).

That competition is generally good for consumers, but it also means plans adjust their benefits aggressively year to year. A plan that offered rich dental or vision benefits in 2026 may scale those back in 2027. Networks in South Florida, in particular, can shift as insurers renegotiate hospital and physician contracts.

If you're in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, or surrounding counties, it's worth checking whether your specific doctors and preferred hospitals are still listed as in-network for the coming year. You can find Florida-specific plan data at our Florida Medicare data page.

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How to Read the Letter Without Getting Lost

The ANOC can run 20-30 pages, but you don't have to read every line. Here's a practical approach:

1. Find the summary table first. Most plans include a side-by-side table showing "2026 benefit" vs. "2027 benefit." Start there. 2. Check your drugs. Look up your specific medications in the formulary change section. If any are flagged, that's a priority item. 3. Verify your doctors. The ANOC may note network changes, but always confirm directly with your doctor's office that they're accepting your plan in the new year. 4. Note the premium line. Even a $20/month increase is $240/year — worth knowing. 5. Flag anything you don't understand. You can call the plan's member services line, or call me directly at 561-247-0678 and I'll walk through it with you at no charge.

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What to Do If Something Has Changed

If your ANOC shows changes that affect you — higher costs, a drug dropped from the formulary, a doctor leaving the network — you have options. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, you can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
• Join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan

Any change you make takes effect January 1. You're not locked in forever. But you do have to act before December 7. After that, your options narrow significantly until the next enrollment period. See a full breakdown of your timing options at Medicare enrollment periods.

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What If You Don't Get an ANOC?

A few situations where you might not receive one:

• You're in Original Medicare only — The ANOC applies to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, not Original Medicare alone.
• Your address on file is outdated — Contact your plan directly if you haven't received it by October 5.
• You're newly enrolled — If you just joined a plan, your full plan documents (the Evidence of Coverage) serve a similar function.

If you're unsure whether you should be receiving one, a licensed Medicare advisor can help you sort that out quickly.

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Should You Stay or Switch?

Staying put is sometimes the right call — but only if you've actually compared your options, not just skipped the comparison. Here's an honest framing:

Reasons to stay: Your doctors are still in-network, your drugs are still covered at the same tier, and your costs are flat or lower.

Reasons to look around: Your out-of-pocket costs are rising, a key medication moved to a higher tier, or you've had ongoing issues getting referrals or prior authorizations approved.

Medicare Advantage isn't the right fit for everyone, and neither is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Both have genuine trade-offs. Our Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement comparison lays out the differences honestly so you can decide what fits your situation — not a salesperson's quota.

You can also browse the Medicare Advantage guide and Medicare Supplement guide for a deeper look at each option, or use the plan comparison tool to see what's available in your zip code.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I receive my Annual Notice of Change? A: Plans are required by federal law to mail the ANOC by September 30 each year. If you haven't received it by early October, contact your plan's member services line directly using the number on your member ID card.

Q: Does the ANOC replace my Evidence of Coverage? A: No — they're two different documents. The ANOC summarizes what's changing. The Evidence of Coverage (EOC) is the full plan document describing all benefits. You typically receive the new EOC in October as well.

Q: What if I miss the December 7 deadline? A: If you miss the Annual Enrollment Period, your options become limited. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience certain life changes, such as moving out of your plan's service area or losing other coverage. A licensed Medicare advisor can help you determine whether you qualify.

Q: Can I switch back to Original Medicare after reading my ANOC? A: Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7) you can drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare. Keep in mind that if you want a Medigap plan after returning, you may need to pass medical underwriting in most states — though Florida does have some additional protections worth knowing about.

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The Bottom Line

Your ANOC isn't junk mail. It's a year-end snapshot of what your Medicare plan is doing — and whether it still works for you. Set aside 20 minutes before October 31 to read the summary pages, check your drugs and doctors, and compare it against what else is available in your area. If anything looks off or confusing, don't guess.

Schedule a free Medicare review with me before the December 7 deadline. There's no cost, no pressure, and no obligation — just a straightforward conversation about whether your current plan still makes sense for 2027.

📞 Lynsey Brennan | 561-247-0678 | HealthPlan Connect | healthplanconnect.org

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Sources

• CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment, 2024 — Florida and national Medicare Advantage enrollment figures
• CMS, November 2025 — 2026 Part B premium ($185/month) and Part B deductible ($257)
• CMS, 2025 — 2026 Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket maximum cap ($9,350)
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), 2022 — Part D $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap (effective 2025); $35/month insulin cap
• CMS Medicare & You 2026 Handbook — Annual Notice of Change mailing requirements and Annual Enrollment Period dates

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This article is for educational purposes and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. HealthPlan Connect is a private, licensed Medicare advisory service. FL License #G007269.