Get ready for 2026 Medicare plans

Troy: Hey, whatcha you got there?

Camille: I’m not sure. I’m trying to figure it out.

Troy: Why don’t you give them a call?

Camille: Hmmm.

Camille: Hi! I just got something in the mail called an Annual Notice of Change. Can you help me figure out what I’m supposed to do with it?

Andre: Oh, absolutely! Your Annual Notice of Change may also be called an ANOC. It’s a document your health plan sends each September to update you on what’s changing in your Medicare plan for the upcoming year.

Camille: What kind of changes are we talking about?

Andre: Well, changes may include updates to your benefits, monthly plan premium, deductible, out-of-pocket costs, etcetera.

Andre: The ANOC gives you a clear picture of how your 2025 plan benefits compare to your 2026 plan benefits so you can decide if your Aetna Medicare plan still meets your needs.

Camille: Why do these changes happen every year?

Andre: Great question. Each year, we have to balance health care costs and new government requirements while still offering you the best coverage we can. So sometimes adjustments are necessary.

Camille: That makes sense. So where do I begin with the document?

Andre: You can begin with the Table of Contents. It acts like a roadmap and allows you to skip directly to the sections that matter most to you.

Camille: And what’s this “Summary of Costs” about?

Andre: The “Summary of Important Costs for 2026” section is a side-by-side comparison of your plan costs in 2025 and what they will be in 2026. This is where you can get a quick overview of any changes to your monthly plan premium, deductible and out-of-pocket costs.

Camille: What’s the most important thing that I need to understand about the document?

Andre: You should pay close attention to the Changes to Benefits and Costs for Next Year section. That section goes into detail about any updates to your plan name, out-of-pocket costs, and medical or supplemental benefits like dental, vision and more.

Camille: So if I still like my plan, what do I need to do?

Andre: If everything still works for you, you’re all set—your plan will automatically renew for 2026.

Camille: And if I do want to make changes?

Andre: You'll find answers about that in the "How to Change Plans" section in your ANOC.

Camille: Thanks, this is really helpful. I feel a lot better about reading my ANOC, and how it can help me understand all the changes to my plan for 2026.

Andre: We’re always here to help. That’s how we make healthier happen together.