Key Takeaways

• Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter highlights everything that will change in your Medicare plan for the next year, so reviewing it quickly helps you avoid surprises.

• Focusing on costs, coverage changes, and provider access helps you decide whether you should stay with your current plan or explore new options during AEP.

Understanding The Purpose Of Your ANOC Letter

When your ANOC letter arrives, it gives you a full breakdown of how your current Medicare plan is changing for the upcoming year. Since AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, reviewing this letter early gives you enough time to compare your options, ask questions, and make any changes you feel are necessary for 2026. The letter contains important details about shifts in costs, covered services, provider networks, and prescription benefits. Taking time to examine each part helps you make confident decisions.

What Should You Look For First?

The best way to review your ANOC is to start with the core sections that directly affect your healthcare experience. These areas give you a quick sense of whether your plan will still meet your needs next year.

Review Your Premium, Deductible, And Other Cost Changes

Your ANOC will list what you can expect to pay in 2026, including your monthly premium, annual deductible, copayments, and maximum out-of-pocket amounts. Even small changes can make a difference over the course of a full year. Medicare Part A and Part B costs may also appear depending on your coverage type, so checking these early helps you understand your full spending picture.

Pay close attention to:

• Monthly premium changes

• Deductible increases or decreases

• Updated copayments for doctor visits

• Changes in urgent or emergency care costs

• Adjustments to your out-of-pocket maximum

This information helps you determine whether your plan still fits your budget. The sooner you identify large increases, the more time you have to explore alternatives within AEP.

Examine Changes In Covered Medical Services

Your ANOC outlines which medical services your plan will cover next year and whether anything has been added, removed, or modified. Medicare plans can change benefits each year, so it is important to read this section carefully.

Look for changes in areas such as:

• Preventive services

• Outpatient care

• Home health services

• Hospital services

• Durable medical equipment

Some services may require prior authorization next year even if they did not before. Others may have revised coverage rules. Identifying these changes early ensures you are aware of how your care may be affected.

Check Provider And Network Adjustments

Your plan may change the hospitals, physicians, specialists, pharmacies, or clinics in its network. If you want to keep seeing the same doctors, reviewing the provider changes in your ANOC is essential.

Pay attention to:

• Doctors no longer in the network

• New additions to the network

• Updated requirements for referrals

• Restrictions for out-of-network care

If your preferred doctor or pharmacy is no longer covered, comparing alternative plans during AEP may be necessary.

Update On Prescription Drug Coverage

If your plan includes prescription benefits, your ANOC will describe how your drug coverage will change. This includes updates to the drug list (formulary), changes in tiers, and rules around prior authorization.

Review this section carefully for:

• Medications added or removed

• Tier changes affecting out-of-pocket costs

• Changes to preferred pharmacies

• Requirements such as quantity limits

With the 2026 plan year approaching, and with the continued impact of the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap under Part D, understanding how your medications fall under the revised structure is important.

Which Sections Need Your Immediate Attention?

While all parts of your ANOC matter, several deserve your immediate focus because they affect both cost and access.

1. Cost Changes That Could Affect Your Budget

If your deductible or copayments are increasing in 2026, you should understand the total yearly impact. For example, higher copayments for specialist visits or therapy sessions could add up over twelve months. Since AEP lasts only about eight weeks, reviewing costs within the first few days of receiving your ANOC gives you a better head start.

2. Changes To Your Prescription Drug List

If a medication you rely on is moving to a different tier or being removed from coverage, this is one of the most urgent reasons to compare other options. Since tier changes can increase your costs, you want to know this early.

3. Network Reductions Or Provider Removals

If one of your specialists is removed from the network, or your nearest pharmacy will no longer be preferred, this may influence whether you want to keep your current plan. Reviewing these details early prevents disruptions to your care.

4. Adjustments To Benefits You Use Often

If you receive ongoing treatments, screenings, or services, check how those benefits will change. Even minor adjustments in coverage rules may affect how your care is delivered.

How Should You Organize Your Review?

Breaking down your ANOC letter into sections makes the process less overwhelming.

Start With The Summary Pages

Most ANOC letters include summary highlights that capture the most significant changes. Reviewing this first helps you understand whether you need a deeper look into certain areas.

Compare Last Year’s Costs To Next Year’s

Use the side by side comparisons in the ANOC to see exactly how your costs differ. Note any increases that may change your total annual spending.

Review Your Personal Healthcare Needs

Ask yourself:

• Will I be using the same doctors next year?

• Do I expect any new health needs in 2026?

• Are my prescriptions stable?

• Am I planning any travel that may affect network access?

Answering these helps you align your ANOC with your real needs.

Make A List Of Questions

During your review, create a list of questions you want answered. These may relate to:

• How tier changes affect your prescriptions

• Whether certain services require authorization

• Network rules for specialists

Having these written down helps you get clarity when speaking with a licensed agent.

Why Immediate Review Matters

Because the AEP window is limited from October 15 to December 7, starting early is the best way to ensure you make the right choice. Waiting too long may limit the time you have to compare alternatives or clarify unclear parts of your ANOC.

Reviewing early also gives you:

• Time to compare multiple plans

• Time to confirm doctor and pharmacy networks

• Time to verify prescription coverage

• Peace of mind going into 2026

Making Informed Choices For 2026

Your ANOC is one of the most important documents you receive each year as a Medicare enrollee. It is designed to help you understand upcoming changes and prepare for the next plan year.

If the updates seem manageable and match your needs, you may be comfortable staying with your current plan. If not, the AEP period gives you the freedom to choose a better fit.

Moving Forward With Confidence In Your Medicare Choices

Taking the time to study your ANOC letter helps you stay in control of your healthcare choices. If anything in your letter raises questions or seems unclear, you are encouraged to reach out to any of the licensed agents listed on this website for guidance before AEP ends. The sooner you ask, the easier it is to secure a plan that supports your needs for 2026.