If you are a Native American living in New Mexico, you have a lot of options to get quality, affordable health care coverage—and that’s a good thing!
But you probably have a lot of questions, too:
- What if health insurance through my job is too expensive?
- What do I do if I’m not eligible for Medicaid?
- How does my Tribal Health Center and the Indian Health Service (IHS) coverage fit in?
Take a deep breath. The Certified Assisters at BeWell have your back.
Through BeWell, you can find the best coverage for your household. You can keep seeing your local healthcare providers, and you might even qualify for premiums at $10 a month or less!
Read through some of our best guidance for Native Americans. Then, reach out for no-cost help to find the right plan, any time of year.
Job-based Health Insurance
If you or your partner are employed full-time, getting health insurance through work will likely be your best option. Most health care providers in New Mexico accept the major plans, and your employer pays a portion of the premiums.
Before you enroll in a health insurance plan, read the Summary of Benefits & Coverage (SBC) document. The document will explain what the plan covers, how to use the plan, and what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket.
There are two ways to know whether a job-based health insurance plan is affordable for your family:
- The lowest-cost plan should be less than 8.39% of your household income each month
- A job-based plan should cover at least 60% of your family’s medical costs
Keep in mind that costs can change from one year to the next. You will need to find alternate coverage within 60 days if you change jobs or get laid off.
If getting job-related health insurance would be a hardship, you can shop for a plan through BeWell. Our Certified Assisters can help you determine your eligibility for other coverage like Medicare/Medicaid or one of our marketplace plans.
Related reading: Do I Have to Take Health Insurance from My Job?
Medicare and Medicaid health coverage
Medicare
When you turn age 65, you automatically qualify for Medicare as a U.S. citizen. Medicare is also an option for people younger than 65 who have a permanent or long-term disability or a chronic debilitating illness such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or end–stage kidney disease. See the Medicare & You 2025 handbook.
Medicaid
Eligibility for Medicaid is more complicated. And it can change year to year, as we saw with Medicaid Unwinding. To qualify for Medicaid in New Mexico, you must be:
- A resident of the state of New Mexico
- A U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident or immigrant
- In need of help to pay for health insurance
- Making low or very low income based on your age and household
- Age 65 or younger
You must also be one of the following:
- Blind
- Disabled, or have a household family member with a disability
- Pregnant or responsible for a child younger than 18
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved Medicaid coverage of traditional health care practices provided by HIS, Tribal clinics, and urban Indian organizations.
Worried about not qualifying or winding up with gaps in coverage? BeWell can guide you through prescription costs, specialist care and situations that may require more coverage. Learn more about Medicaid in New Mexico.
Members of federally recognized tribes can enroll in BeWell coverage any time of year. Members can also change plans as often as once a month. Learn more about BeWell coverage for Native Americans
IHS & Tribal/Urban Health Centers
Tribal/Urban Health Centers and IHS are at the heart of health care for pueblos and tribal nations across New Mexico. Having outside insurance doesn’t change that. No matter what kind of health coverage you have, you can continue seeing the local providers who know you well.
In fact, getting health insurance helps your local clinic! Your insurance company pays IHS or your Tribal Health Centers for the care you receive. IHS and Tribal Health Care Centers use that money to take care of people in your community. This helps clinics continue to grow and offer more services.
Why is this important? Government funding for the IHS is limited—they are a payor of last resort, which means other types of payment must be used first, when possible. When the government-covered limit is reached, services must be reduced or cut. Having health insurance helps bridge that gap.
Using a plan from BeWell expands your IHS and Tribal Health Care Center coverage in other ways:
- No copay, deductible or coinsurance at IHS or Tribal Health Care Centers
- Less chances of a big bill if you get sick or injured
- Coverage when you travel
- No referral needed to see doctors outside the IHS and Tribal Health Care service area
- Cost-sharing options that reduce out-of-pocket expenses
Together, we’ll keep everyone covered
BeWell has an network of partners that brings together local health centers, Tribal benefits coordinators and insurance professionals. Our Native American Certified assisters can help you understand how our plans work with IHS or Tribal Healthcare Center coverage, and how to find the best plan for your needs and budget.
Join us at a community open enrollment event for Native Americans. Bring your family, friends and neighbors! We are happy to answer your questions about no-cost or low-cost health insurance options. You can also connect with us by phone, email, text, or online chat for one-on-one assistance throughout the year.
