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
Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drugs And IRMAA Extra Premiums Hello Toni: I received a letter from SSA telling me that my monthly Medicare Part B premium would be $48.70 higher per month (up to $170.50) due to 2014-reported income over certain levels. That...
Medicare Open Enrollment When You Have Company Benefits Toni, After speaking with you yesterday, I received a call from my deceased husband’s office and was advised that my medical insurance would expire March 31, 2016. I am taking the paper which goes to Social...
Alert…2016 Medicare and You Handbook Shows Medicare Premium Increases for Part D Plan!! Hi, Toni: Part D surprise came in the mail last week... Our part D provider sent news of changes for 2016. Monthly premium doubled from $29.50 to over $62.00 and deductible went...
Medicare Open Enrollment Toni: I turn 65 next March 2016 and am absolutely baffled by all of the mail I am receiving on this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment. Is there something that I need to do for this enrollment time? All of the mail is informing me that I need to...
Medicare Annual Enrollment Toni: Read in your column last week that there is only 5 weeks to the Medicare Annual Enrollment period. I’m really confused on what I need to do. I am receiving so much mail that I am stressed about making the wrong decision and messing up...
Why Enrolling In a Part D Medicare Drug Plan Is So Important 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...
Hello Toni: I turned 65 in March 2012 and continued to work full time with excellent company benefits. I decided to delay Part B until December 1, 2014 when I have retired. I enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan F and a Part D prescription drug plan and now I have...
About 2 weeks ago on CBS 60 Minutes, a segment discussed the high cost of cancer drugs. Two Oncologists discussed what a crime it is that Medicare cannot negotiate the pharmaceutical companies for cheaper prices for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. I wanted...
Good Morning Toni: I was recently told that to receive a shingles vaccination I needed to have a Part D (Medicare prescription) drug plan to get the vaccination or pay $200. I thought all vaccinations and immunizations were covered at no cost. ...
Toni: Last year, my mother got into the “donut hole” in October. I can see from the Part D statement she receives that she is rapidly approaching the donut hole and it is only the beginning of May. None of her drugs have changed from 2013. She can afford...
