The Daily Dose
Top 5 things you need to know about the Annual Notice of Change
Each September, CDPHP Medicare Advantage plan members receive an Annual Notice of Change, often called the ANOC. Reviewing this important document is the best way to make sure you have the health care coverage you’ll need for next year.
What is it?
Your ANOC tells you about changes in benefits, costs, and more for the next plan year. Depending on your plan, these changes can affect your:
- Premium. The amount you pay for your plan each month.
- Copays. Flat fees you pay for each service.
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs. The most you’ll have to pay in a year before your plan pays 100 percent, including copays.
What should I do when I receive my ANOC?
Review your plan changes carefully. Then think about if the plan costs and benefits will continue to best fit your needs for the coming year.
What if I’m still happy with my plan after I review the changes?
Then you’re all set – no shopping to do, no decisions to make, no actions to take! You’ll be automatically re-enrolled in the same plan.
Important tip! File your ANOC in a safe place in case you want to review the information later.
What if the changes to my plan don’t fit my needs?
Starting October 1, you can shop for a new plan. Go to cdphp.com/medicare to check out our plans for the coming year. You can also shop other health plans, but we value you as a member and can make it easy for you to find and enroll in another CDPHP Medicare Advantage plan.
What should I keep in mind when looking for a new plan?
- Cost. Look for a plan that fits your budget. Maybe a $0 plan is what you need? Or would you rather pay a higher premium to have lower copays when you receive services? Our Medicare experts can help you figure things out.
- Provider network. If you choose to stay with CDPHP, your Medicare Advantage plan will change, but your provider network won’t. If you’re considering another health plan, check if your doctors are included in their network.
- Prescription benefits. Be sure to review covered drug listings for any plan you’re considering. And remember, if a drug is covered under your current CDPHP Medicare plan, there’s a good chance it’ll be covered if you choose a new CDPHP plan.
Staying informed about your health plan details is an important part of staying healthy. Review your ANOC, think about your plan benefits, and decide if your plan will still be the best fit for next year.
And don’t forget!
- Happy with your plan? No need to do anything because you’re automatically re-enrolled.
- Questions about other CDPHP Medicare Advantage plans? Starting October 1, you can call our Medicare experts at 1-888-519-4455* to get help.
*Our hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week from October 1 – March 31. From April 1 – September 30, Monday – Friday, our hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. A voice messaging service is used weekends, after-hours, and federal holidays. Calls will be returned within one business day.
Sarah Bowman About the Author
Sarah Bowman is a communications supervisor who joined CDPHP in November 2020. A life-long lover of words, Sarah brings the team 20 years of editing and writing experience gained through her positions at a digital media company, public relations agency, and book publishing house. She attended The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY where she received her BA in Public Communications. Sarah currently resides in the Capital Region with her husband and son where she enjoys long family walks, Broadway shows, and finding the next great streaming series to binge.
Leave a Reply
Before leaving a comment, please read the comment policy.