Toni Says: Having your legal documents on file is extremely important
Hi Toni, I am turning 65 and retiring from my current employer and will no longer have health insurance benefits, life insurance, dental and vision.
Toni Says: Doctor doesn’t accept Medicare Advantage. How do I return to original Medicare?
Hi Toni, I never should have listened to my brother, who bragged about how his Medicare Advantage plan was a great way to save money and not have to spend so much on my Medicare supplement plan's premium.
Toni Says: What are my life insurance options after 65
Recently, you wrote an article explaining hospice. Please let readers of your column know that there are other ways hospice comforts the caregiver when a loved one passes. My mother's hospice case manager and also her social worker made sure that I knew exactly what to do for her final needs when she finally peacefully passed away.
Toni Says: 2026 Medicare deductibles and premiums are released!
In the new Medicare & You Handbook that I received about a month ago, I cannot find what the 2026 Medicare costs and premiums will be. I would like this information because I have been diagnosed with a heart condition and will need to undergo heart surgery next year. I have looked online and cannot find the costs there either.
Toni Says: What are hospice and respite care?
As a certified case manager and critical care unit RN, I advise adult children who are seeking help for a parent or spouse who is having end-of-life issues. Those who have serious health care issues should be offered every option for proper planning with end-of-life care, especially hospice!
Toni Says: What is Medicare’s infamous Part B penalty?
Dear Toni, I need your help! I have discovered that my mother, Sarah, who is 67, never enrolled in Medicare Part B or a Part D prescription drug plan when she turned 65.
Toni Says: What to do if your drug drug is not covered by your Part D plan
Toni, do you know of another Part D provider you can sign me up for that will cover some or all of the costs for Humira?
Toni Says: Who pays for a skilled nursing stay, Medicare or you?
My husband recently fell from a ladder, shattered his hip and broke his right leg. After having emergency surgery, Jim is having a stay in a skilled nursing facility for his rehab to learn how to walk on his repaired hip.
Help, I need to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan
Toni, In August, my husband and I enrolled in a Medicare Supplement, which has not paid a medical claim because we were in a Medicare Advantage plan when we applied for the Medicare Supplement.
Is America ready for the changes to 2026 Medicare Part D plans?
Toni, Currently, I am on a stand-alone Part D plan with a Medicare supplement because of my serious health issues.