Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change: 3 Things to Check
Your plan's 2027 Annual Notice of Change answers three questions: what you have, how to use it, and what it covers. Here is how to read it in that order, with the national numbers behind each one.
Key takeaways
- The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is the letter your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan must send so it reaches you by September 30. It lists what changes on January 1, 2027.
- Read it in three passes. What you have: is your plan renewing, merging or ending? In the CMS 2027 plan crosswalk, 808 plans or plan areas fold into another plan and 1,006 end.
- How to use it: network, pharmacies, referrals and prior authorization. Among the 100 most-prescribed drugs, plans added prior authorization to 10,622 plan and drug listings for 2027.
- What it covers: costs, drugs and extras. The 2027 Part D cap is $2,400, and a Medicare Advantage plan may set its in-network out-of-pocket maximum as high as $9,850, up from $9,250 in 2026.
- Compare before December 7, 2026. If you do nothing, most plans renew automatically with every change in the letter.
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Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change tells you three things: what you have, how to use it, and what it covers. Read it in that order and you will know whether to keep your plan or compare. The ANOC is the letter every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan must send so it reaches you by September 30, listing each change that starts January 1, 2027.
That order comes from Viola Lucero, CLTC. Her About page describes her work as making sure a client knows what they have, how to use it, and what it covers, and it is the order we follow when a client brings us the letter. It works in any state, because every plan builds its ANOC from the same CMS model, and this post shows where each check sits in that model.
Each part below comes with the national numbers that show why it matters this year. If you live in Maricopa or Pinal County, our Arizona ANOC guide has your county's plan counts as well.
What is the Annual Notice of Change, and when does it arrive?
The ANOC is a side-by-side summary of your plan this year and next year. Federal rules say plans must send it so you receive it no later than September 30 (42 CFR 422.2267(e)(3) for Medicare Advantage, 42 CFR 423.2267(e)(3) for Part D).
The Evidence of Coverage is the full rule book for the plan. Current members must be able to get it by October 15 (42 CFR 423.2267(e)(1)). If you join a plan that starts October 1, November 1 or December 1, the plan sends the next year's ANOC within 10 days of confirming your enrollment, or by the end of the month before you start, whichever is later.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| By September 30, 2026 | Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change reaches you |
| By October 15, 2026 | The full 2027 plan description (Evidence of Coverage) is available |
| October 15 to December 7, 2026 | Open Enrollment: keep, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan |
| January 1, 2027 | Every change in the letter takes effect |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage members can switch once or return to Original Medicare |
Where is each check in the 2027 letter?
Plans must use the standardized CMS model, so every 2027 ANOC has the same sections in the same order. We read the CMS CY 2027 model ANOCs for each plan type and mapped the three checks onto them. Use the table as a reading guide: open your letter to the section in the middle column.
| Check | Where it is in your letter | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What you have | Cover page and "About" box, before the summary | Your 2027 plan name. A new name, or a line saying you are moving to another plan on January 1, 2027, means a merger |
| 2. How to use it | Section 1.3 Changes to the Provider Network | Whether your doctors and hospital stay in network |
| 2. How to use it | Section 1.4 Changes to the Pharmacy Network | Whether your pharmacy stays in network or preferred |
| 2. How to use it | Section 1.6 Changes to Part D Drug Coverage | New prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits, and drugs leaving the list |
| 3. What it covers | Summary of Important Costs for 2027 | Premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, doctor visits, hospital stays and drug costs, 2026 next to 2027 |
| 3. What it covers | Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.7 | Premium, out-of-pocket maximum, medical services and drug costs in detail |
| Next step | Section 3 How to Change Plans | The December 7 deadline and other times you can change |
Check 1: What do you have in 2027?
Start with the first page: does your plan keep its name and ID, merge into another plan, or end? Most plans renew, but not all.
CMS publishes a plan crosswalk each fall: a file that matches every 2026 plan to the plan its members land in for 2027. We counted every row in the 2027 file. Each row is one plan, or one piece of a plan's service area. About half renew as they are; the rest merge, end, start new or change their service area.
| Status for 2027 | Plans (crosswalk rows) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Renews as the same plan | 4,899 | 53.6% |
| Folds into another plan (consolidated) | 808 | 8.8% |
| Ends (terminated or not renewed) | 1,006 | 11.0% |
| New plan for 2027 | 928 | 10.1% |
| Other (renewals with a smaller or larger service area, new contracts) | 1,503 | 16.4% |
| Total | 9,144 | 100% |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D plan crosswalk, plan year 2026 to 2027 (file of October 1, 2026), every row, employer plans included, counted by the Rise Up Benefits Group Data Desk. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
Across the country the market looks steady. In its September 28, 2026 announcement, CMS counted 5,553 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 and expects about 5,532 in 2027. Based on the bids plans submitted, CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium will fall from $14.37 to $12.00 a month and that about 8 in 10 members can stay in their plan at the same or a lower premium. Those are projections, not your plan's price. A steady market can still mean a big change in your own plan, and your ANOC has your real 2027 premium.
Check 2: How do you use your plan in 2027?
The second pass is about the rules of the road: which doctors and hospitals are in network, which pharmacies are preferred, whether you need a referral to see a specialist, and which services need approval first. These change quietly, and the ANOC is where they are disclosed.
- Network. Search each doctor and your hospital by name in the plan's 2027 directory, then confirm with the office.
- Pharmacy. Check whether your pharmacy is still preferred; the same drug can cost less at a preferred pharmacy.
- Referrals. HMO plans usually need one for specialists. Look for a change in plan type, for example from PPO to HMO.
- Prior authorization and step therapy. Prior authorization means the plan must approve a service or drug before it pays. Step therapy means you try a lower-cost drug first.
The drug side shows how common these quiet changes are. We compared 2026 and 2027 coverage for the 100 most-prescribed Part D drugs in every plan, following each plan to its 2027 successor. That gives 474,300 plan and drug listings, one for each drug in each plan. For 2027, plans newly required prior authorization on 10,622 of them and step therapy on 2,382. Tier moves went both ways: 2% moved to a higher tier and 7.4% to a lower one. Our post on 2027 Part D formularies has the drug-by-drug detail.
- plan and drug listings newly needing prior authorization
- 10,622
- plan and drug listings newly needing step therapy
- 2,382
- of listings that changed drug tier
- 2% up, 7.4% down
Check 3: What does your plan cover in 2027, and what will it cost?
The third pass starts with the "Summary of Important Costs for 2027" table near the front of the letter. In the CMS model it puts 2026 and 2027 side by side for the monthly premium, the medical deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum, primary care and specialist visits, hospital stays and Part D drug costs. Circle every line where the 2027 number is higher, then add the extras you use, such as dental, vision, hearing and over-the-counter allowances, which reset each year.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Highest in-network out-of-pocket maximum a Medicare Advantage plan may set | $9,250 | $9,850 |
| Part D standard deductible, at most | $615 | $700 |
| Part D yearly out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 | Pending (CMS announces in November) |
Your plan's own out-of-pocket maximum is the number to watch: it is your worst case for covered in-network care in a year. CMS lets it go as high as $9,850 in 2027, up from $9,250 in 2026 and the highest of any year in the CMS table, which goes back to 2022. For a PPO, the combined limit on in-network and out-of-network care can go up to $14,800 (CMS CY2027 MOOP limits, Table 3).
Source: CMS CY2027 MOOP and cost-sharing limit calculations, Table 4 (mandatory MOOP limit by contract year).
On drugs, the $2,400 cap counts only drugs on your plan's list, so check each prescription by name in Sections 1.6 and 1.7 of the letter.
What should you do after reading it?
If all three checks pass, you can let the plan renew; you do not need to do anything. If any one fails, compare before December 7, 2026.
Joining a new Medicare Advantage plan ends your old Advantage plan, and joining a new drug plan ends your old drug plan, on January 1. Moving from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and Medigap takes separate steps, and Medigap may ask health questions, so we line them up in order with you.
Keep your plan if
- It renews as the same plan
- Your doctors, hospital and pharmacy stay in network
- Every drug keeps its tier and rules
- The out-of-pocket maximum and premium still fit your budget
Compare plans if
- Your plan merges into another or ends
- A doctor, hospital or pharmacy leaves the network
- A drug moves up a tier, gains prior authorization or leaves the list
- The out-of-pocket maximum or premium went up
What to bring to a review
- The 2027 ANOC itself, or the plan's email if you get it online
- Your member ID card, and your Medicare card if you are thinking about a change
- Every prescription with its dose and how often you take it
- Your doctors' names and the hospital you would use
Bring a spouse or an adult child too if they help with your health care. Two sets of eyes catch more in the letter, and decisions go better when the people who drive you to appointments know which doctors are in network. You leave with a short list of what to keep and what to compare.
What should you watch for after January 1, 2027?
- CMS usually announces the next year's Part B premium and deductible in November; budget for the 2027 amount when it publishes.
- If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have one more chance to switch from January 1 to March 31, 2027.
- Plans can still change a drug list during the year. For most changes that hurt you, the plan must tell you in writing at least 30 days ahead, or give you a month's supply with the notice when you refill (42 CFR 423.120(f)). Read every letter from your plan.
- Plan star ratings are updated each fall; check your plan's rating before you renew for 2028.
- Next fall brings a new ANOC for 2028. The same three checks apply.
The bottom line
Read your 2027 Annual Notice of Change in three passes: what you have, how to use it, and what it covers. Nationally 808 plans or plan areas in the CMS crosswalk merge and 1,006 end for 2027, and plans added prior authorization to 10,622 listings of the 100 most-prescribed drugs, so assume something changed until your letter proves otherwise. Compare before December 7, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three things to check in my 2027 Annual Notice of Change?
What you have (is the plan renewing, merging or ending), how to use it (network, pharmacies, referrals, prior authorization), and what it covers (premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, drugs and extras). Read them in that order and you know whether to keep your plan or compare. We walk through all three with you in a review.
Do I get an Annual Notice of Change with Original Medicare or Medigap?
No. The ANOC comes only from Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, only your stand-alone drug plan sends one; a Medigap policy has no ANOC. We review the drug plan and the Medigap premium together with you each fall.
When must my plan send the 2027 Annual Notice of Change?
It must reach you by September 30, 2026. The full plan description, called the Evidence of Coverage, must be available by October 15. If you did not get yours, check your online member account or ask the plan for it, and we can help you read it.
Where in my ANOC do I see whether my doctor or pharmacy is still in network?
In the 2027 CMS model letter, Section 1.3 covers changes to the provider network and Section 1.4 covers the pharmacy network. A stand-alone drug plan has no provider network section; its pharmacy changes are in Section 1.2. The letter only tells you that the network changed, so we look up each of your doctors by name in the 2027 directory with you.
What happens if I ignore my Annual Notice of Change?
Most plans renew automatically on January 1, 2027, with every change in the letter. If your plan is ending, you get a non-renewal letter and a Special Enrollment Period. Doing nothing then moves a Medicare Advantage member to Original Medicare, while a stand-alone Part D member is left without drug coverage, which can lead to a late enrollment penalty later. Either way, call us before the window closes and we line up the replacement.
My plan is merging into another plan for 2027. What should I do?
Treat the new plan as a fresh choice. Check its network, drug list, out-of-pocket maximum and premium against your needs, then compare it with other plans before December 7. We check all of it for you and explain the difference in plain language.
What is the highest out-of-pocket maximum a Medicare Advantage plan can have in 2027?
CMS sets the 2027 limit for in-network costs at $9,850, up from $9,250 in 2026. Many plans set a lower maximum. Your own plan's figure is in the ANOC summary table, and it is the number to compare first if you expect surgery, a hospital stay or ongoing treatment.
Is the Annual Notice of Change the same everywhere?
Yes, the format follows a CMS model in every state, so the three checks work anywhere. The plans and numbers inside it differ by county. We review ANOCs for clients in person in Chandler, AZ, and by phone or video in every state where we are licensed.
Can I change plans after December 7, 2026?
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch once between January 1 and March 31, 2027. Other changes need a Special Enrollment Period, for example after a move or when your plan ends. It is simpler to settle it during Open Enrollment, and we can check whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you missed it.
Why have an agent review my ANOC instead of reading it alone?
Because the letter tells you what changed in your plan, not how it compares with the other plans we represent in your county for your doctors and drugs. We do that comparison, explain what you have, how to use it and what it covers, and handle the switch if one makes sense, with no cost to you for our help.
Sources
- CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D plan crosswalk, 2027 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS Monthly Prescription Drug Plan Formulary and Pharmacy Network Information (CY2026 and CY2027) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS CY2027 MOOP and cost-sharing limit calculations Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS CY2027 Rate Announcement, Attachment V Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS press release: Medicare Advantage and Part D expected to remain stable in 2027 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS fact sheet: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS CY 2027 Model Materials (model Annual Notice of Change for each plan type) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- 42 CFR 422.2267, required materials and content (Medicare Advantage) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 42 CFR 423.2267, required materials and content (Part D) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 42 CFR 423.120(f), notice of formulary changes Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Medicare & You 2027 handbook Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Please note: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 34 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.Rise Up Benefits Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information. This article is general information, not medical, tax or legal advice.
