Is Your Medicare Plan Still Right for You in 2027? 5 Things to Review in Your ANOC Before You Enroll

Retired couple reviewing Medicare plan paperwork together at a bright kitchen table

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan, your Annual Notice of Change: often called your ANOC: is one of the most important pieces of mail you receive each fall.

Your plan must send it by September 30, 2026. The ANOC explains changes that will take effect on January 1, 2027, including changes to costs, benefits, prescription coverage, and provider networks.

You do not have to make a decision the moment your notice arrives. Simply review it carefully, compare your options, and get help when you need it. We can guide you through the details so you can choose coverage with confidence.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally begin January 1, 2027. Medicare.gov explains your Open Enrollment options here.

START WITH YOUR ANOC

Your ANOC is written as a summary of changes from your current plan to the plan being offered for the next year. It does not replace your complete Evidence of Coverage, provider directory, or drug formulary, but it gives you a helpful starting point.

Before you enroll: or decide to stay: review these five areas.

1. REVIEW PREMIUMS AND YOUR OVERALL BUDGET

A plan’s monthly premium is important, but it is only one part of your total Medicare costs.

Look for changes to:

  • Your monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium
  • Your Part D plan premium
  • Medical and prescription drug deductibles
  • Primary care and specialist copayments
  • Emergency room and urgent care costs
  • Hospital stay costs
  • Coinsurance for outpatient services
  • Your maximum out-of-pocket limit

A plan with a low or $0 monthly premium can still have higher costs when you use medical services. On the other hand, a plan with a premium may offer benefits or cost-sharing amounts that fit your situation better.

Take a few minutes to think about your expected healthcare needs in 2027. Do you see several specialists? Are you managing an ongoing condition? Do you expect hospital care, physical therapy, imaging, or outpatient procedures?

Your answers can help you determine whether your current plan still fits your budget and healthcare needs.

Need help comparing the numbers? Schedule a free insurance consultation. We can review your current coverage and help you understand the costs in plain language.

Older woman reviewing information on a tablet in a bright room

2. CHECK PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND FORMULARY CHANGES

Your prescription coverage can change from one plan year to the next. Even if your plan name stays the same, a medication may move to a different tier, require prior authorization, have new quantity limits, or no longer be covered in the same way.

Review your ANOC for changes to:

  • The drugs included on your plan’s formulary
  • Drug tiers and copayments
  • Coinsurance amounts
  • Pharmacy networks
  • Preferred pharmacies
  • Mail-order pharmacy options
  • The Part D deductible
  • Coverage rules such as prior authorization or step therapy

Make a current list of every prescription you take. Include the dosage and how often you take it. Then compare that list with your plan’s 2027 formulary.

This step is especially important for people taking brand-name medications, specialty medications, insulin, or several prescriptions each month.

What about the new Medicare drug price negotiations?

For 2027, Medicare’s second cycle of negotiated prescription drug prices will take effect on January 1, 2027. CMS selected 15 Part D drugs for this cycle, including medications such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Trelegy Ellipta, Ibrance, Ofev, Linzess, and others.

According to CMS information about negotiated prices for 2027, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans must include selected drugs with negotiated prices on their formularies, subject to standard Medicare formulary rules.

That does not mean every person will pay the same amount for every medication. Your actual cost can still depend on your plan, drug tier, pharmacy, dosage, and coverage rules. Review the details instead of assuming the change will automatically lower or raise your cost.

If your medication list is difficult to compare, no problem. We can help you review prescription coverage and available Prescription Drug Plans before the December 7 deadline.

3. CONFIRM YOUR DOCTORS, HOSPITALS, AND PHARMACIES

A plan is only useful when it works with the providers you trust.

Medicare Advantage plans typically use provider networks. Your ANOC may mention network or service-area changes, but you should also verify your providers directly using the plan’s updated directory.

Check whether your:

  • Primary care physician
  • Specialists
  • Preferred hospital
  • Urgent care center
  • Treatment facilities
  • Physical therapists
  • Preferred pharmacy

will remain in network for 2027.

Do not rely only on last year’s directory. Provider participation can change, and online directories may not always show the latest information. Call the provider’s office and the plan when you need to confirm.

If a doctor or hospital is no longer in network, your costs could be higher: or the plan may not cover the service in the same way. If you live in more than one state during the year, also verify how your plan handles care outside its service area.

We can help you compare Medicare Advantage Plans based on your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and location. Tell us what matters most in your situation, and we will help you review the available choices.

Older woman and insurance agent reviewing Medicare plan information at a home office table

4. LOOK FOR BENEFIT CHANGES

Medicare Advantage plans may include extra benefits beyond Original Medicare. These benefits can be valuable, but they may change for 2027.

Review whether your plan is adding, reducing, or removing benefits such as:

  • Dental exams, cleanings, or other dental services
  • Vision exams and eyewear allowances
  • Hearing exams or hearing aid benefits
  • Fitness memberships
  • Transportation
  • Over-the-counter allowances
  • Meal support after certain medical events
  • Home safety benefits
  • Telehealth services

Pay attention to eligibility rules, benefit limits, participating vendors, and how often you can use each benefit. A benefit may remain available but have a smaller allowance or stricter requirements.

Also look for changes to prior authorization, referrals, or other approval requirements. These rules can affect how quickly you receive certain services.

If dental, vision, and hearing coverage are important to you, review our Dental, Vision, and Hearing plan options. We can help you determine whether your current plan still provides the supplemental protection you want.

5. COMPARE COST-SHARING CHANGES

Cost-sharing is the portion you pay when you receive care. It includes copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

Your ANOC may show changes to the cost of:

  • Primary care visits
  • Specialist visits
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Outpatient surgery
  • Inpatient hospital stays
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Ambulance services
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Emergency and urgent care
  • Prescription drugs

Do not focus only on one line item. A small copay increase may not matter much if you rarely use that service. A change to hospital coinsurance or your maximum out-of-pocket limit may matter more if you have ongoing health concerns.

Try this simple review:

  1. Circle every amount that increased.
  2. Highlight any new deductible or coinsurance.
  3. Note changes to your maximum out-of-pocket limit.
  4. Think about how often you used each service this year.
  5. Compare the total picture: not just the monthly premium.

This process makes the decision much easier. We can review the plan details with you and help you compare options without pressure.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS?

Your ANOC mainly applies to Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes. Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, work differently.

Medicare Supplement plans generally help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare. They do not usually include prescription drug coverage, so you may need a separate Part D plan. You should also understand that switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan may involve eligibility and underwriting rules, depending on your situation and timing.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plans, including Medigap Plan G and Medigap Plan N.

Before changing how you receive Medicare coverage, review the full picture: premiums, prescriptions, doctors, hospitals, benefits, and enrollment rights. We can help you understand the differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans so you can make an informed choice.

YOUR 2027 MEDICARE REVIEW CHECKLIST

When your ANOC arrives, keep these dates and steps nearby:

  • By September 30, 2026: Receive and read your ANOC.
  • Before October 15: Gather your medication list and provider information.
  • October 15–December 7, 2026: Review, compare, and enroll if you decide to make a change.
  • January 1, 2027: Your new coverage begins if your enrollment request is received by December 7.

You can also use Medicare Plan Compare to review plans in your area.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REVIEW IT ALONE

Medicare notices can feel like a lot of information, especially when premiums, drug coverage, networks, and benefits all change at once. You can take it one section at a time.

We have provided 100% telephonic consultations since 2008, and video consultations are also available. Our licensed agents can ask a few straightforward questions, review your current situation, identify potential gaps, and introduce you to selected insurance carriers.

Schedule your free Medicare consultation through our contact page. Tell us what you want to review, and we will help make your 2027 Medicare decision easier.

IMPORTANT MEDICARE INFORMATION

Plan availability, premiums, benefits, provider networks, formularies, cost-sharing amounts, and enrollment rules vary by plan, service area, and individual circumstances. The information in this article is general educational information and is not a complete description of any Medicare plan or a guarantee of coverage.

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium unless it is paid by another program. Before enrolling or changing coverage, review the plan’s official materials, including its Evidence of Coverage, Annual Notice of Change, provider directory, and formulary. For official Medicare information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Fidelity Insurance Group, LLC is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.