Reviewed for accuracy by Lauri Middleton, RN, MSN, licensed Medicare agentReviewed for clarity by Karen OrillaMeet our reviewers →
Medicare Advantage and drug plans send an Annual Notice of Change by September 30 describing changes for January 1. Use it with current plan documents to check premiums, deductibles, covered drugs, cost-sharing and coverage rules. Verify doctors, hospitals and pharmacies directly. A short checklist does not establish whether to stay or switch. Annual Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7; other opportunities depend on your situation.
Apply this to my situationThe rules behind this
Your plan must tell you what changes next year — by September 30
Every Medicare Advantage and drug plan sends an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. It lists next year’s premium, deductibles, copays, covered drugs and their tiers, and network or service-area changes. The three lines most people check first are the monthly premium, the drug deductible, and their own drugs’ tiers.
Who this is for
Everyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
What changes it
- People in Original Medicare without a drug plan do not receive one; Part B costs are announced by Medicare in the fall.
The question that settles it
“Which of my drugs changed tier or gained a restriction for next year?” — your plan, using the notice in hand.
Source: Medicare.gov — Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) ↗
October 15 to December 7: the yearly window to change plans
Every year during Open Enrollment you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or join, drop or change a drug plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Who this is for
Everyone who already has Medicare.
What changes it
- Switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare does not by itself guarantee a Medigap policy; see the Medigap rule.
The question that settles it
“If I make this change by December 7, exactly what will my coverage be on January 1?” — Medicare Plan Finder or HICAP.
Get help
Free Medicare counseling
California HICAP offers free, confidential Medicare counseling. Ask the local program about language and appointment availability.
California HICAP1-800-MEDICARE
Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for an interpreter. TTY: 1-877-486-2048.
Call Medicare · 1-800-633-4227Official information in other languages ↗External resource. Some pages are in English; ask for language assistance if needed.