Medicare Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. It’s offered through private insurance companies approved by Medicare, and you can get it in two ways: as a standalone Part D plan alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), or built into many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
Part D plans aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each plan has its own drug list (formulary), pharmacy network, tiers, copays, and rules like prior authorization or quantity limits. Costs can also change year to year, so a plan that worked great last year may not be the best fit now, especially if your medications change.
Below, you’ll find ToniSays.com articles and resources that break down Medicare Part D down into plain English, step-by-step, so you can compare plans confidently, understand your costs, and avoid common enrollment mistakes and penalties.
READ: What Is Medicare? 2026 Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Your Coverage Options
Did The Medicare Part D “Donut Hole” End in 2020? Toni: Last fall, I was diagnosed with a serious illness and began taking Humira which is very expensive costing over $5,000 per month. I was told that the Medicare Part D “Donut Hole” was vanishing in 2020 and I...
What!! My Medicare Part B or D Penalty Is Forever? Toni: I am a 67-year-old female who never enrolled in Medicare Part B or D because I believe in holistic medicine and only take vitamins. I was under the impression that if I didn’t go to the doctor, I didn’t need to...
Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan After the Dec. 7th Deadline? Hello Toni: I recently attended a Medicare Advantage meeting because my Medicare Supplement Plan F is costing me $220 a month and was going to join. A friend introduced me to your articles explaining...
2020 Medicare Part D Changes…Released! Reader Alert: Effective October 1st, the new Medicare.gov website was released…. Toni: Last year, the 2019 Medicare and You handbook did not include the 2019 Part D deductibles and “Donut Hole” costs, and I got in the “famous”...
Toni Says® Tips for Medicare Open Enrollment Toni: I just received a phone call saying there is a federal law that I change my Medicare during Medicare’s Open Enrollment? The Toni Says® office helped us with our Medicare decision in January when my husband retired...
Hello Toni: I am turning 65 in July, self-employed and my income is over $250K. Recently I received a letter from Social Security telling me that my monthly Medicare Part B premium of $135.50 would be doubled to $270.900 per month due to 2017 reported income. That...
Toni: I am turning 65 in July and am an insulin dependent diabetic. I take 2 insulins which are rather expensive. I am concerned about the Part D Donut Hole because I’ve seen my husband struggle with his current choice. Last year my husband, Steve changed from his...
Dear Toni: I have been told that Medicare does not cover drugs when you are in an emergency room? My mother went in the hospital from the ER for 2 days and because it was considered “under observation, we are now fighting the hospital because they say her drugs were...
Toni: Last year’s Medicare Open Enrollment season, my husband, Steve and I changed from our Medicare Supplement Plan with a separate Part D plan to a Medicare Advantage PPO plan. We were told that our doctors were in the plan and all of my husband’s diabetic meds...
Toni: Last year, the 2017 Medicare and You handbook did not include the 2017 Part D deductibles and “Donut Hole” costs, and I got in the “famous” Medicare donut hole this March. I know it is only September, but I would like to get prepared and really cannot find the...
