Medicare Annual Notice of Change: What to Expect in the Coming Year

K-State Research and Extension News for September, 2025

Submitted by Kathy Goul, Family & Consumer Science Agent

As fall arrives at our doorstep, so does an important piece of mail for individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans – the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC).  

Sent out each September, the ANOC is a yearly communication from Medicare plan providers that details upcoming modifications to your current plan.  These modifications may include changes in monthly premiums, copayments and deductibles; updates to covered services and prescription drug formularies; and adjustments to provider networks and pharmacy access.  

Changes in your plan become effective January 1, 2026.

With Medicare open enrollment on the horizon, mailboxes will start to overflow with offers and advertisements.  In all of the chaos, it is important to keep an eye out for your ANOC. 

More importantly, it is critical that you read this piece of mail and not simply set it aside.  A recent survey conducted by eHealth found that only 48% of people who receive ANOCs actually read them.  

While the documents received can be intimidating due to their size, the key updates are generally clearly noted in the first few pages.  More importantly, failing to read the annual notice of change all together may lead to unexpected costs or disruptions in care. 

Each January, I receive calls from Medicare recipients who are caught off guard by an increase in their monthly premiums, prescription drug costs, or by discovering their provider is no longer in network.  Ninety-nine percent of these surprises could have been avoided by reviewing the Annual Notice of Change when it arrived.  

What are some changes in store for next year?  Expect a little bit of good news in your Part D plan if you take any of the 10 prescription medications in the new Medicare drug-price negotiation program taking effect in 2026.  Next year, all Part D plans must cover these drugs, which include popular blood thinners and diabetes medications.  While final figures have not been released, the government expects discounts of at least 38% to as much as 79% off list prices.

However, not all changes will be good.  Industry analysts tell us to expect more Part D plans to have deductibles in the coming year – with the maximum deductible increasing to $615.  Some Part D plans will also charge higher monthly premiums next year.  

Expect changes in prescription drug coverage under Medicare Advantage plans as well.  Just this past year, a number of Medicare Advantage plans available in Miami and Linn counties added deductibles for prescription drug coverage. 

In addition to making sure your prescriptions are covered on your plan, double-check to see if your plan has added a deductible, or if your current deductible has changed.  Medicare Advantage plans offering prescription drug coverage will also benefit from the drug-price negotiation program mentioned above.

It is important to review anticipated out-of-pocket costs for your Medicare Advantage plan as you enter 2026 as co-pays for services may change from year to year.  In addition, financial concerns of many insurers may also result in plan members seeing the reduction, or elimination, of some supplemental benefits. 

These changes may impact dental, vision and hearing benefits as well as the popular over-the-counter benefits.  For example, a plan that previously had very comprehensive dental care my offer less options in the coming year and focus more on preventive services.

Each year I encourage Medicare beneficiaries to review your prescription drug coverage during open enrollment (October 15 – December 7).  To review your current coverage and compare plans for the coming year, individuals can visit medicare.gov and use the plan finder. 

This tool walks you through the steps of comparing your current plan to the plans available for next year.  To use the plan finder you must create a MyMedicare.gov account.  

K-State Research & Extension provides free, unbiased assistance to help with your plan comparisons through a partnership with the state Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program.  Individuals seeking help with plan comparisons can pick up an intake form at our Paola office, located at 913 N. Pearl Street, Suite #1, or our Mound City office, located at 115 S. 6^th Street. 

The intake form can also be found on our website at www.maraisdescygnes.k-state.edu.  Once this form is completed and returned to the office, we will contact you to help you with your plan comparison.  

For more information about open enrollment and how we can help, visit our website at www.maraisdescygnes.k-state.edu.  For questions by phone, please call our Paola office at 913-294-4306.