Toni: Your name was given to my husband by the person who cleans our pool and religiously reads your column in his local newspaper. My problem is a different than most couples because now I am finding out that my company’s group health plan is...
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare that helps pay for the everyday medical care most of us use—things like doctor visits, outpatient services, preventive screenings, lab work, and durable medical equipment. It’s an essential piece of Medicare, but it also comes with rules that can catch people off guard: monthly premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, enrollment deadlines, and possible late penalties.
The good news? Once you understand how Part B works, it gets a lot easier to make confident choices, especially when it comes to timing, budgeting, and avoiding gaps in coverage.
Below, you’ll find ToniSays.com articles and resources that break down Medicare Part B into plain English, step-by-step.
READ: What Is Medicare? 2026 Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Your Coverage Options
Can’t Afford to Pay My Medicare Premium Bill
Can’t Afford to Pay My Medicare Premium Bill… What Can I Do? Reader Alert: Many of Toni’s readers are making scrapbooks from the weekly community newspaper articles. If that is you, please send Toni your story about how the column has helped you to...
Medicare Part B Nightmare Began With Enrolling In COBRA!
Enroll in Part B when enrolling in COBRA Toni: My Medicare and Social Security nightmare began when I retired from my job, July 31 of last year and enrolled in COBRA so that I could have a knee replacement in December. I was given inaccurate information from a local...
30% of Medicare Part B Enrollees Receive Good News About 2016 Premiums
Good News! … About Increase in Medicare Part B Premiums for 2016! Hello Toni: I have recently enrolled in Medicare and have received my 2016 Medicare and You handbook. I have looked all through this book and cannot find what the 2016 Medicare Part A and B deductible...
Waiting Until COBRA Ends to Enroll in Medicare’s Part B is DANGEROUS!!
Dear Toni: My husband lost his job June 2013 and we are now enrolling in Part B of Medicare because COBRA’s is almost over…Now I am finding out that there will be a penalty for us not enrolling when we should have. No one has ever told us when the time limit is and I...
Medicare Says…Don’t Wait to Enroll In Part B with COBRA
Dear Toni: I just lost my job and I have had coverage through my job on myself and my husband who is a cancer patient. I am 70 and my husband is 69. My question is: If we elect to take COBRA, should we enroll in Part B of Medicare or wait until COBRA ends to enroll...
Why Is My Part B $335.70 and Not $104.90?? Something is Really Wrong!!
Dear Toni: I retired last March and my income was over $300,000. I was surprised to learn that Medicare Parts B and D are both income based and I have to pay $335.70 for Part B and $69.30 for Part D, totaling $405.00 monthly from my Social Security check....
I’m Paying More than $104.90 for Medicare’s Part B!! How Can I Appeal This??
Hello Toni: I don’t understand why I am paying more for my Part B premium. When I called Social Security, the agent told me that Part B was $104.90, but my letter says that based on me and my husband’s income, Part B for me will be $230.70. Now that I...
I’m Self Employed…Do I Have to Enroll in Medicare’s Part B?
Hello Toni: I need your help about enrolling in Part B or delaying it. I am self-employed with no employees, turning 65 with an individual Blue Cross/Blue Shield health plan that covers me and my wife. I’ve been told by friends that since I am still working, paying...
Veterans Late Enrollment in Part B is Very Costly!!
Hello Ms. Toni: I am a Vet and have always received my healthcare from the Michael DeBakey VA center. I turned 65 last April 2011 and did not sign up for Part B in Medicare. Now I have a serious heart condition requiring surgery and I would like to go to a heart...
