Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)

Hey look - more acronyms!  The federal government loves acronyms, and even when they work together with private industry (as is the case with PDPs and MA Plans) they still abound like they're going out of style.  So what is the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)?  Do I get one?  Does it even matter?

The Annual Notice of Change is a document that Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage Plans (MA Plans) send out each fall to inform you of the changes in your plan.  If you don't have a PDP or an MA Plan, then no, you will not get one.  But for everyone else, expect to see this arriving on your doorstep sometime around the first of October.  Now we come to the $64,000 question - does it matter?

Yes.  I know, I know.  You wanted me to say no.  But the truth is, this is a very important document.  Why?  Each year a PDP or MA Plan files a new contract with the federal government.  This contract is totally different from the prior year's and can change items such as copayments, deductibles, monthly premiums, and even covered drug lists.  Because these changes can be so drastic, the plan is required to send you an ANOC to inform you of the differences between the current year and the upcoming year. 

So now you're probably all excited to read through your ANOC, right?  Well that will probably only last until it arrives.  Depending on your plan, your ANOC will weigh between 5 and 6 tons and come with it's own pillow.  Okay not really, but you get the drift.  While the whole publication does have merit, we have some tips to help you use this document efficiently.  So below are some questions that we would suggest you answer before just deciding to toss (or drag) it out.

For PDP plans:

• Did the monthly premium change?
• Did the drug copayments change?
• Are there any significant changes to the list of participating pharmacies?
• Are there any changes to the list of covered drugs that effect you?
• Are there any additional restrictions on the drugs that you're taking?

For MA plans, ask the following questions in addition to the above:

• Did the annual out of pocket maximum change?
• Are there changes to the doctor, hospital, or nursing facility copays?
• Are there any changes to the out-of-network copays?
• Are there any changes to the extra benefits?