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- Understanding Your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC)
Understanding Your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC)
Each fall, your Medicare plan will send you an ANOC letter. It includes all the important details about upcoming changes to your plan, so you’re informed and ready for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan, you receive an important document each fall called the Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC). This document outlines changes to your plan benefits and coverage for the upcoming year.
Be sure to read your ANOC changes carefully. Understanding these updates will help you make an informed decision about staying with your current plan or exploring new options for the upcoming year.
While reading through your ANOC may seem like a big task, it’s a crucial step in managing your healthcare costs and double-checking that you have the coverage you need.
Tip: Try reading through the document with a family member or trusted friend who can help you understand all the changes and how it could affect you next year.
When will you receive your ANOC?
The ANOC is typically mailed in late September, just before the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that runs from October 15 to December 7. It's scheduled this way so that you have time to understand any changes to your upcoming plan and what that could mean for your healthcare coverage and costs.
Key things to check in your ANOC
- Supplemental benefits:
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as dental, vision, hearing, or fitness programs. Look for new supplemental benefits or changes to your current offerings. - Prescription drug costs:
See whether specific medications you take regularly are still covered in the drug formulary. (A drug formulary is the list of drugs covered by your plan). Also, look for changes to copays, deductibles, and coverage tiers. Pay special attention to new restrictions or requirements for certain drugs. - Cost changes:
Check if your monthly premium is increasing or decreasing. Also look for any adjustments to your yearly deductible and the maximum amount you might have for out-of-pocket covered services. Then check for changes to what you'll pay for doctor visits and hospital stays. These numbers can significantly impact your healthcare costs for the year. - Prior authorization requirements:
Are there any new rules about getting approval for certain treatments or services? Prior authorization requirements can affect your access to care, so it's important to note and understand these changes. - Service areas:
Check if there are any updates to the plan's service area. Also, if you travel frequently or split your time between different locations, be sure you check for changes to those areas as well. - Network providers:
Check the provider directory to make sure that your current doctors, specialists, and hospitals will remain in-network for the coming year. If any of your preferred providers are leaving the network, you may want to consider changing plans or finding new in-network providers. - Star ratings:
While not typically included in the ANOC, you can check your plan's updated Medicare Star Rating, which reflects the overall quality of the plan.
You have the option to switch plans
Remember, if you don’t like the changes being made to your current plan, you have the option to switch plans during Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). This is your opportunity to change to a plan that better suits your needs for the coming year. By staying informed about your Medicare Advantage coverage — and taking the right action — you can make the best decisions for your health and financial well-being.
Have questions or not sure about some changes? Please contact your plan directly. Customer service representatives should be able to explain the changes and how they might affect you.
How Devoted can help
We have licensed representatives available to help you or answer questions about Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans. Call us at 1-800-483-8066 (TTY 711) for personalized assistance. You can also learn more about your Medicare options in this free Medicare Comparison Guide.
Already a Devoted Health member? Text 866-85 or call 1-800-DEVOTED (1-800-338-6833), TTY 711. Our Member Service Guides can answer any questions about your ANOC.