Medicare · plan letters

Your Medicare drug plan letter, explained

Last updated November 5, 2026 · Reviewed by the LowerScript editorial team · Español

Every fall, Medicare health and drug plans send two documents: the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which lists what is changing in your plan for next year, and the Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which gives the plan's full details. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, so read them now, while you can still switch plans.

The two documents

Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Medicare.gov describes it as a notice from your plan about upcoming changes in your Medicare health or drug plan's coverage, costs and more. CMS says it covers formulary, coverage and premium changes.

Evidence of Coverage (EOC). Medicare.gov describes it as the document that gives you details about what your plan covers and how much you pay.

Both come from your plan, not from Medicare, and Medicare.gov lists them as arriving in September. If you cannot find yours, contact your plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Key dates (checked on Medicare.gov on 5 November 2026)

• October 15 to December 7: Medicare Open Enrollment. Medicare.gov says this is the one time of year everyone with Medicare can change health and drug plans for next year.
• December 7: the plan must receive your request by this date. In most cases it is the last day to change Medicare coverage for the next calendar year.
• January 1: new coverage starts.
• January 1 to March 31: if you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or to Original Medicare.

Dates can change, so confirm them on Medicare.gov before you act.

What to check in your ANOC

Go through the notice with your list of medicines beside you.

• Is each of your drugs still on the plan's drug list (formulary)? Plans can place drugs in tiers, and Medicare.gov says a drug in a lower tier generally costs less than one in a higher tier. Check the tier of each medicine.
• Are there new rules on your drugs? Medicare.gov describes prior authorization (approval from the plan), step therapy (trying a less expensive drug first) and quantity limits.
• What will you pay? Look at the premium, the deductible, and the copayment or coinsurance for your drugs. Medicare.gov lists these as the cost terms of a Part D plan.
• Which pharmacies can you use? Medicare.gov has a separate page on the pharmacies you can use with a drug plan. Confirm yours is included.
• Do your doctors and your drugs still fit? CMS notes that the lowest monthly premium is not always the best fit for your health needs.

If your plan is not changing in ways that matter to you and is still offered, CMS says you do not need to take action. Do not stop or change a medicine because of a letter. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

If a drug is not covered or has restrictions

Medicare.gov says you or your prescriber can ask your plan for an exception to a coverage rule. The prescriber must provide a supporting statement. When coverage starts, you may also get a one-time 30-day supply of a drug you have been taking that the plan does not cover or restricts. Check with your plan for its specific rules.

Compare plans and look for extra help

Medicare.gov says you can compare your current coverage with 2027 options at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Medicare.gov also lists programs that can lower drug costs, including Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, manufacturer assistance and some state pharmaceutical assistance programs. See Help with drug costs for who qualifies.

Where a discount card can and can't help

What it can't do. A discount card cannot be combined with Medicare on the same purchase. It does not change your premium and is not a replacement for a drug plan. A card purchase is a cash purchase outside your plan, so ask your plan how it would be counted before you rely on it.

Where it may help. For a given prescription you can choose to pay a discounted cash price instead of using your plan, for example for a drug your plan does not cover or restricts. That is a choice for each purchase. Compare both prices at the counter. Our guide Can you use a discount card with Medicare? goes through this in detail.

For Florida readers, see 2027 Medicare plan changes in Florida and Part D premiums in 2027. We do not repeat them here.

Frequently asked questions

Sources (checked 5 November 2026)

• Medicare.gov: Costs & coverage mailings — what the Plan Annual Notice of Change and the Evidence of Coverage are, and that plans send them in September.
• CMS: Guide to consumer mailings, 2026/2027 — that the notices come from plans in September and cover formulary, coverage and premium changes, and the Extra Help notices.
• Medicare.gov: Joining a plan — the Open Enrollment dates (October 15 to December 7), the December 7 deadline, January 1 start, and the January 1 to March 31 Medicare Advantage period.
• Medicare.gov fact sheet: Remember key Medicare dates — that Open Enrollment is October 15 to December 7 and is in most cases the last day to change coverage for the next calendar year.
• Medicare.gov fact sheet: Your Medicare in 2027 — the advice to review changes to your costs and coverage and to use Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare 2027 options.
• CMS: Medicare Open Enrollment — that people should review the materials their plans send, and need not act if their plan still meets their needs.
• Medicare.gov: Drug plan rules — prior authorization, step therapy, quantity limits, exception requests and the one-time 30-day transition supply.
• Medicare.gov: How do drug plans work? — what a formulary is and that lower tiers generally cost less.
• Medicare.gov: Part D costs — premium, deductible, copayment and coinsurance as the cost terms to look for.
• Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs — the list of programs that can help with drug costs.
• CMS press release: Medicare Open Enrollment — the tips to check that your doctors and drugs are covered and that the lowest premium is not always the best fit (a 2021 release; the tips are general).

This page is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice, and it does not recommend a plan. For questions about your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist. LowerScript is a discount program, not insurance.

More: Discount card with Medicare · 2027 plan changes (Florida) · Part D premiums 2027 (Florida)  |  All savings guides