Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is open now. It runs October 15 through December 7, and it is the main time each year to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D options for the coming year (Medicare.gov, Joining a plan). A good place to start is a letter most plan members already have: the Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC.
What the ANOC letter is
The ANOC comes from the plan, not from Medicare. Medicare.gov describes it as a notice of changes in coverage, costs and more that take effect in January. Plans must send it so members get it by September 30. If it never arrived, Medicare suggests contacting the plan for a copy.
Five things to check in the letter
- Premium and deductible. Look for any change to the monthly premium and to the yearly deductibles for medical care and for drugs.
- Drug list (formulary). The drug list can change each year. Check every prescription, its tier, and whether it now needs prior authorization or has new limits.
- Doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. Networks change too. Confirm that preferred doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are still in network for 2027.
- Copays and coinsurance. Compare what doctor visits, specialist visits, hospital stays and other common services will cost in 2027 against this year.
- Extra benefits. If dental, vision or hearing benefits matter, check whether they changed.
A simple approach: keep the ANOC next to a list of current prescriptions and doctors, and mark anything that changed.
What can change during AEP
From October 15 through December 7, people with Medicare can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. A choice made during AEP takes effect January 1 (Medicare.gov). Medicare.gov suggests reviewing the changes to decide whether the plan will still meet a member's needs next year (Medicare.gov).
If a plan is not renewing for 2027
Some insurers are not renewing certain Medicare Advantage plans next year. Moneywise reports that about 990,000 people nationwide could lose their current Medicare Advantage plan for 2027. A plan that is not renewing sends a separate non-renewal letter. Here is what Medicare and CMS describe:
- Return to Original Medicare. A member who does not choose a new plan returns to Original Medicare when the plan ends (Medicare.gov, Special Enrollment Periods).
- AEP choices. Members can choose a new plan during AEP for coverage starting January 1.
- Special Enrollment Period. Medicare lists a Special Enrollment Period for members whose plan is not renewing, from December 8 through the last day of February (Medicare.gov; CMS).
- Medigap right. Members who return to Original Medicare may have a special right to buy certain Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies, which Medicare calls Medigap protections, generally no later than 63 days after the plan coverage ends (Medicare.gov, Choosing a Medigap Policy).
The non-renewal letter can serve as proof of these rights, so it is worth keeping in a safe place.
Where to get help
- Medicare: Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- New Jersey SHIP: 1-800-792-8820 for unbiased counseling. SHIPs are not connected to any insurance company.
Schedule a complimentary plan review
Schedule a complimentary plan review with a licensed insurance agent at The Sosa Insurance Group: in-home, at our West Orange office, by Zoom, or by phone. A licensed insurance agent can go through the ANOC or non-renewal letter line by line. Call 1-800-552-1934 or visit thesosainsurancegroup.com/aep-plan-review.
Sources
- Moneywise, "Did you get your ANOC letter? 990,000 US retirees could lose their plan" (Vishesh Raisinghani, Oct 15, 2026)
- Medicare.gov, Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
- Medicare.gov, Joining a plan (enrollment periods)
- Medicare.gov, Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov, Choosing a Medigap Policy (PDF)
- CMS, NAIC Q&A on plan non-renewals and Medigap rights (PDF)
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 7 organizations which offer 33 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. 1-800-MEDICARE and Medicare TTY 1-877-486-2048 are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Sosa Insurance Group is a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO) that connects Medicare-eligible individuals with licensed insurance agents. The Sosa Insurance Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. A Scope of Appointment (SOA) is required before discussing specific plan details. This article is general information, not personalized insurance advice. Medicare plan benefits, premiums, and availability vary by county and change annually.
