Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D members receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30. That document describes premiums, copays, drug tiers, and network changes for January 1 if the plan continues. Many people wonder whether that notice lets them buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy without answering health questions. In most cases, it does not.
A separate situation—a non-renewal, termination, or service-area exit—can create different options. If your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is ending or leaving your area, you may have a limited window to return to Original Medicare and apply for certain Medigap plans under federal guaranteed-issue rules. The dates and plan letters matter, so treat the official notice as evidence, not junk mail.
What an ANOC does (and does not) do
The ANOC is an update packet for a plan that still expects to serve your county next year. Use it to decide whether to keep the plan during Annual Enrollment (October 15–December 7). You can compare other Advantage or Part D options, but the ANOC alone generally does not grant a Medigap open window without underwriting.
For a walkthrough of what to check on the notice, see our ANOC guide or the ANOC checklist.
When a plan exit can trigger Medigap guaranteed issue
If you receive written notice that your Medicare Advantage plan (or certain other coverage) is not renewing or is leaving your service area, you may qualify to buy specific Medigap plans without medical underwriting—provided you enroll during the federal guaranteed-issue period. That period generally runs from up to 60 days before the coverage ends through 63 days after it ends, though you should confirm your exact dates on the letter and with Medicare or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
- Keep the termination or non-renewal letter. Carriers and Medigap insurers may ask for proof.
- Return to Original Medicare first. Medigap works with Parts A and B, not with Advantage as primary coverage.
- Know which Medigap plans are covered. Federal guaranteed issue applies to specific plan letters (commonly Plans A, B, C, F, K, and L in this situation—verify current rules).
- Do not miss the window. After guaranteed issue ends, Medigap applications usually go through health questions unless a state rule helps.
Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington each add their own Medigap consumer protections (birthday rules, year-round switching in some cases, etc.). SHIP counselors can explain how federal and state rights interact in your county.
How this differs from Annual Enrollment
During AEP you can switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans without health questions. Medigap is different: there is no nationwide annual Medigap enrollment period. Most Medigap changes outside guaranteed-issue or state special windows require underwriting unless you qualify under a state rule such as Idaho’s or Oregon’s birthday periods (see our Medigap birthday rule article).
Practical next steps
- Read every fall mailing carefully—ANOC versus termination language is not interchangeable.
- If your plan is exiting, calendar the guaranteed-issue dates immediately.
- Compare returning to Original Medicare plus Medigap versus joining another Advantage plan before your current coverage ends.
- Call SHIP or Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) if the notice is unclear.
CDA Insurance can help Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington clients compare paths at no cost to you. Call (800) 884-2343 or use the contact page.
Received a non-renewal notice?
We can review timelines and Medigap options before your window closes.
This article is for general education. It is not a plan recommendation, quote, or guarantee of coverage. Benefits, premiums, networks, and eligibility vary by plan and county and can change. CDA Insurance LLC is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Official program information is available at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.