Plan Documents
Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Quick answer
The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a document your plan mails you every September that summarizes what will change on January 1 — premiums, cost sharing, formulary, network, and benefits.
Plain-English definition
The ANOC is your prompt to reshop coverage during AEP.
Why it matters
Skipping the ANOC is how members get surprised by January changes.
A simple example
Your ANOC shows your Tier 3 copay is going up $20 next year — time to compare.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Annual Election Period (AEP)
The Annual Election Period (AEP) runs October 15 – December 7 each year. During AEP anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Summary of Benefits (SB)
The Summary of Benefits is a short overview of what a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan covers, including premiums, MOOP, cost sharing, and extras.
Evidence of Coverage (EOC)
The Evidence of Coverage is the detailed contract that spells out what your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan covers, your rights, and your costs for the coming year.
Frequently asked questions
When does the ANOC arrive?+
By September 30 each year.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.