Your 2027 Medicare ANOC Letter: What to Circle Before AEP Starts

Medicare Annual Enrollment starts October 15, just six days from this article's publication. Before comparing advertisements or deciding to switch, open the Annual Notice of Change from your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. That notice is about the coverage you already have, and the changes that could affect you starting January 1, 2027.

Medicare.gov says plans send the ANOC each fall, with arrival expected in September. If yours has not arrived, contact your plan and request it. Do not assume that a familiar plan name means familiar costs next year.

Make a two-column comparison

Keep your current-year documents beside the notice. On a sheet of paper, write “2026” and “2027” at the top of two columns. Copy the amounts that matter to you rather than trying to remember whether a number looks different.

• Monthly plan premium: compare the full year's premiums, not just the monthly change.
• Deductibles: check medical and drug deductibles separately, including which services or drug tiers they apply to.
• Care you actually use: circle copays or coinsurance for your primary doctor, specialists, outpatient care, and hospital stays.
• Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum: note the limit and any separate in-network and combined limits. Prescription drug spending is a separate comparison.

This is a review worksheet, not a promise of what you will spend. The goal is to identify which details need a closer look based on your health and budget.

Match drug changes to your actual prescriptions

Do not stop at the drug deductible. A medication's tier, copay, coinsurance, or coverage rules may matter more to you. Keep a list of each prescription's exact name, strength, dose, and refill frequency, then check the upcoming year's formulary and plan information.

Flag anything you cannot confirm, including prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits. Ask the plan about a specific drug rather than assuming that coverage of a similar medication means yours is covered. If treatment alternatives come up, discuss them with your prescriber, not just an insurance representative.

Verify doctors and pharmacies separately

The ANOC is a starting point, not a substitute for confirming the details of your own care. For Medicare Advantage, verify your doctors and hospitals against the exact 2027 plan. Ask both the plan and the provider's office when the answer is unclear.

For drug coverage, check your pharmacy's status for the upcoming year. Being able to use a pharmacy does not necessarily mean it offers the plan's lowest cost sharing. Bring those questions into your plan comparison.

Turn the notice into three appointment questions

• Which changes affect the doctors, prescriptions, or services I actually use?
• Does keeping this plan still fit my budget, including costs beyond the premium?
• If I change coverage, what do I need to confirm before enrolling?

You do not have to switch just because AEP is approaching. Staying with a plan can be reasonable when the next year's coverage continues to meet your needs. The important part is making that decision with current information.

Know which enrollment window you are using

Medicare's fall Open Enrollment, commonly called AEP, runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. It allows eligible changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7 for coverage to start January 1, 2027.

AEP is not a blanket guaranteed-acceptance period for Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are considering returning to Original Medicare and adding Medigap, check your eligibility and any underwriting requirements before dropping existing coverage.

Bring your notice to a free plan review

Bring your ANOC, current plan information, prescription list, preferred pharmacy, and doctors' names to a conversation with Elie Ortiz. Together, we can review available options and the questions your notice raises. You can also use the free AEP guide linked below to keep your notes in one place.

Sources below provide the official enrollment rules and ANOC guidance. Specific benefits, networks, and costs must be confirmed in the documents for your chosen 2027 plan.