Senior Partners Care, the 35-year-old Federation program that helps moderate-income Medicare enrollees bridge the “Medicare gap,” announced an increase in maximum income and asset eligibility levels as of March 1.

Asset levels for singles and couples increased to $43,785 (excluding one car and a home). Monthly income levels rose to $1,805 (single) or $2,428 (couple).

With SPC, participating Minnesota doctors and hospitals agree to accept Medicare as payment in full; co-pays and deductibles are waived. So Medicare enrollees who qualify would not require additional supplemental Medicare coverage. However, SPC does not cover medications, so a stand-alone Part D plan for drug coverage would be necessary. Enrollees in SPC cannot also be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, including a Private Fee-for-Service plan, receive Medical Assistance or be in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program.

If you have applied for SPC in the past and income/asset levels were too high to qualify, you may now be eligible. If you’ve never applied but are interested in learning about this valuable service of the Senior Federation and its SPC partner, the Minnesota Hospital Association, call the Federation’s Health Plan Information Center, 1-866/783-5045 or 651/783-5045 weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.