What do I need to know about the Annual Notice of Change?
Your ANOC shows what will change in your Medicare plan for the next year, so it’s important to read it each fall before Annual Enrollment ends on December 7. Reviewing your ANOC helps you understand your costs, benefits and coverage so you can decide if your plan still fits your needs.
About your ANOC
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Members get their ANOC document in the fall. You may get it by mail or email. Your plan may also tell you where to find it online. If you read it online, save it so you can check it later.
Want to check your Aetna® Medicare plan documents now? Review Your ANOC. -
Health care costs and plan guidelines can change from year to year. Because of that, plans may update benefits, costs, and rules so they can keep offering coverage that meets member needs. That’s why it helps to read your ANOC each year, even if you liked your plan this year.
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If your ANOC didn’t arrive by Sept 30, first check your mailbox and email inbox. Next, log in to your secure member site to look for plan documents. If you still can’t find it, call Member Services. The number is on your member ID card.
If you are an Aetna Medicare member, login and review your Medicare ANOC. -
Your ANOC is a list of what’s changing for next year. Your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) is the full book of plan rules, what’s covered, and what you pay. If you have a question after you read your ANOC, your EOC can help you find the full details.
Reading your ANOC
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Use the Table of Contents to find topics. Use it to find the costs, drug coverage, or a benefit you use is on.
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Look for the section that lists key costs for next year. ANOCs show this year and next year side by side. This is a fast way to spot changes to your premium, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
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Look for the section on changes to benefits and costs for next year. It gives details on what’s new, including plan rules that may affect how you get care. It may cover your plan name, monthly premium, provider network and more.
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It’s OK if a section feels hard to read at first. Mark the part that’s confusing and write your question down.
What you need to do:
- Use the Table of Contents to find the full section
- Compare next year’s Medicare coverage changes to what you use most, like doctor visits, prescriptions or dental care
- Call Member Services and ask them to go through your ANOC questions
What might change
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Plans can change each year, and your ANOC will show what’s new and what benefits have changed. In general, the biggest updates show up in your costs, covered services and plan rules. Look for updates to:
- Dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Prescription drug coverage, if your plan includes it
- Allowances or benefits available through the Extra Benefits Card, if offered by your plan
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, coinsurance and your maximum out-of-pocket amount
- Provider and pharmacy networks
- Added, removed or updated benefits
- Plan rules and coverage requirements
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It might, depending on your plan. Some plans change the drug list, what you pay, or which drug stores are in network, so your ANOC is a good place to start. Use it to check that your medicines will still be covered next year.
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It depends on your plan. Your ANOC will show any changes to your dental benefit like what is covered, how often you can get services or what you may pay.
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Your ANOC will explain any changes to your plan's costs, coverage, benefits or rules for the coming year. As you review the document, pay close attention to the benefits you use most.
For example, you may see updates to benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental benefits or other supplemental benefits offered by your plan. If your plan includes an Extra Benefits Card, review your ANOC carefully to understand whether any related allowances or benefits are changing for the new plan year.
Next steps and help
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After reviewing your ANOC, consider whether your plan still meets your health care needs and budget for the coming year. The document can help you understand what is changing and whether you need to take any action during Medicare enrollment periods.
What you should review:
- Changes to your costs, including premiums, copays and coinsurance
- Changes to prescription drug coverage
- Changes to the benefits and services you use most
- Changes to provider or pharmacy networks
- Questions you may want to discuss with Member Services
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If you're happy with your plan, you don't need to do anything. Your plan will automatically renew on January 1. Reviewing your ANOC can help you understand any changes to your costs, coverage or benefits before they take effect.
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Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. If you want to change plans for next year, act by December 7 so you don’t miss the deadline. Changes you make then start January 1.
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Member Services can go through your ANOC with you, so you know what’s new. The number is on your member ID card. If you want to start on your own first, review your plan documents online.
