By April Mai | Medicare Monday | Updated September 30, 2026
Your Medicare plan may have the same name next year, but that does not mean every detail will stay the same.
Before setting aside your fall plan mail, look for your Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC. It is a starting point for understanding what is changing—and whether those changes matter to you.
You do not need to become a Medicare expert to review it. Start with your prescriptions, your care, and your budget. Then write down the questions you want answered.
What is an ANOC?
Your Medicare plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall. It explains changes to coverage, costs, and other plan details that take effect in January. Medicare.gov says to expect it in September and to contact your plan if you do not receive it. [1]
For this fall’s review, confirm that you have your current plan’s notice for 2027. A change described for January does not automatically apply to your care today.
Use the ANOC alongside the Evidence of Coverage
Think of the ANOC as the change summary. Your Evidence of Coverage, or EOC, gives more detail about what the plan covers, what you pay, and how it works. Medicare.gov says plans provide an EOC each year, usually in the fall. [2]
If an ANOC section leaves you wondering how a change works, look for the full explanation in the 2027 EOC or ask the plan. Write down the page number so you can return to the same wording.
Five areas to review
Use these questions as a practical reading guide. Some answers require the plan’s drug list, provider directory, or other current documents in addition to the ANOC.
1. Your costs
What does the notice say about premiums, deductibles, and the costs of services you use? For Medicare Advantage, where can you confirm the medical out-of-pocket limit? Look beyond the monthly premium when considering your budget.
2. Your prescriptions
Where can you verify each medication for 2027? Have the exact drug name, dose, and refill frequency ready. Ask the plan to explain any coverage or cost change relevant to your list.
3. Your pharmacy
Where can you confirm your preferred pharmacy and the estimated cost of filling your prescriptions there? Include your pharmacy when comparing coverage rather than assuming all locations will have the same costs.
4. Your doctors and care
Where can you verify the doctors, specialists, and hospitals you want to use for 2027? If you have Medicare Advantage, confirm their network status for the exact plan you are considering.
5. Benefits and rules you use
Which changes deserve a closer look because they affect your care? Ask where to confirm any relevant referral, authorization, or benefit rules. Give attention to the benefits you actually use.
Medicare’s yearly review guidance recommends comparing coverage with your prescriptions, pharmacies, providers, and costs in mind. [3]
Make a short question list
Try this simple format:
What changed?
Why might it matter to me?
What still needs to be verified?
For example: “I see a prescription-cost change. Where can I confirm what I would pay for my exact medication at my pharmacy in 2027?”
Specific questions help turn a long document into a useful conversation.
Know the dates before making a decision
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for changes effective January 1, 2027. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7. Your available choices depend on your current coverage. [4]
Use the time before enrollment begins to gather your documents and questions. Leave room to verify details before the deadline.
If you are considering Original Medicare with Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, check your eligibility separately. Fall Medicare Open Enrollment does not automatically guarantee acceptance into a Medigap policy. Federal protections, state rules, and your situation matter. [5]
Does an ANOC mean you need to switch?
Receiving a notice does not mean you need a different plan. The purpose of reviewing it is to understand whether your coverage still fits your needs.
Before taking action, confirm the relevant plan details, your enrollment opportunity, and the effective date. Do not cancel coverage based only on an initial reading of the notice.
Bring your ANOC to Ask April Mai
If you live in Concord, Kannapolis, or elsewhere in Cabarrus County and want help understanding your notice, reach out.
Bring your 2027 ANOC, medication list, preferred pharmacy, and doctors you want to keep. I can help you understand the changes, identify what needs verification, and review available options with your needs as the starting point.
My priority is helping you make an informed decision about your coverage.
Call 704-396-4761 or request a Medicare review. Start with your questions so there is time to work through them before December 7.
General educational information only; not individualized insurance or medical advice. Ask April Mai is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Consult current plan documents for coverage, costs, and terms.
Sources
[1] Medicare.gov — Plan Annual Notice of Change
[2] Medicare.gov — Evidence of Coverage
[3] Medicare.gov — Your Yearly Medicare Review, September 2026
[4] Medicare.gov — Open Enrollment
