Knock, Knock: It's ANOC!

If you've been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D drug plan for any length of time, you know about the ANOC: Annual Notice of Change. This is the document from your carrier that describes how your plan will change for the next calendar year starting January 1st. Expect it sometime in September, definitely before October 1st.

If Your Plan Will Still be Available in the New Plan Year

Assuming the plan you're in this year will still be available in the new plan year, this important document from your insurance carrier explains any changes specific to your plan, for example:

• Coverage: New benefits, improved benefits, diminished or removed benefits

• Costs: Changes in premiums and/or copays for existing benefits

• Provider network changes: While it's more likely you will get a separate letter about provider network changes, it may also be included in the ANOC

• Drug list and pharmacy network changes: drugs added or deleted from the formulary, drugs moved to different cost tiers

Reviewing your ANOC is important because Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plan insurance carriers review their plans each year and make changes. You need to know about those changes to determine if they make the plan less suitable to your needs. If you see something in the ANOC that is of concern to you, call me. We can review the ANOC together. If there is a need to look for different coverage for you, we can shop together for a plan that may be a better fit for you in the new year.

If Your Plan Will Not be Available in the New Plan Year

Not all Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans continue to be available in the new plan year. In recent years, we've seen many plans terminated or have their service area reduced (meaning the plan may continue to be available, but not in your county). If this is the case with your plan, instead of getting an ANOC in the mail you will get a plan termination or service area reduction (SAR) letter in the mail. This may be a good thing! Why? If your plan is no longer available in the new plan year, you may have a guaranteed issue right to return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan. For more about that, see my article You May Have a Guaranteed Issue Right to a Medicare Supplement.