Hello Toni: I have your Medicare Survival Guide, but I still am confused on an issue. My husband retired from an oil company with full benefits. We have both turned 65 this year and will now be going on Medicare. His company has automatically enrolled...
Medicare Part D
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
Why Enrolling in Part D is IMPORTANT!!
Dear Toni: Does Medicare Part B cover prescription drugs in an outpatient setting, like emergency room or under observation? You wrote about this last week and we are having this problem. My mother was in the hospital for 2 days and because it was considered “under...
Isn’t Obamacare Getting Rid of the Donut Hole??
Toni: "I remember hearing on the news that the “Donut Hole” is going away because of Obamacare. Is this true? I need serious prescription drug help for my 72-year-old mother. She got into the “donut hole” in May of this year. It has financially devastated her and...
Does the “IRMAA” Income Rule to Medicare Part D Affect You???
Reader Alert: 8 weeks to October 15th…Medicare’s Open Enrollment Countdown… Dear Toni: I am 68 and have been on Medicare for 3 years with the same $0 premium Medicare Advantage HMO that has Medicare Prescription Drug plan included but recently I received a...
Tips to Stay out of the “Donut Hole”!
Toni: Last year, my mother got into the “donut hole” in October. I can see from the Part D statement she receives she is rapidly approaching the limit. She can afford her co pays of $104.00 per month, but not the true prescription drugs cost is $630.00...
In the Donut Hole…I Need “Extra Help”!!!
Toni, Please give me some advice because I am having some financial problems. I am concerned that I will get into the Donut Hole. I only receive about $1,050.00 income from my social security check. The Medicare Part B premium has reduced my...
Retiring at 68 from Company Benefits…
Hello Toni: I turned 65 in March 2009, I continued to work full time with excellent company benefits, and I decided to delay Part B until December 1, 2012 when I have retired. I enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan F and a Part D prescription drug plan and now...
In the Donut Hole…I Need Help!!!
Toni, Please give me some advice because I am having some financial problems. I am concerned that I will get into the Donut Hole. I only receive about $1,050.00 income from my social security check. The Medicare Part B premium has reduced my SS check by...
$0 Co-Pay Generics…Look Out Donut Hole!!
Toni: This year, my mother got into the “donut hole” in September. It has financially devastated her and she almost stopped taking her prescriptions. She can afford her co pays of $80.00 per month, but it shows on her statement that the true...
Turning 65 and Still Working..Should I Delay Parts B & D?
Dear Toni, I have a Medicare question that affects my husband and me personally: He turns 65 on April 27, 2013. He plans on working until he is 66. As I understand it, his basic Medicare A kicks in at 65? Right? Then he waits until he's ready to retire...
