Who is Eligible for Coverage?
Immigrants and non-citizens who are lawfully present in the United States can get health coverage in New Mexico. Additionally, New Mexico residents may qualify for free or discounted insurance based on income.
If you and your family don’t have health insurance, you may qualify for discounted coverage through BeWell, Medicaid or the New Medical Insurance Pool.
BeWell, New Mexico’s Health Insurance Marketplace
Eligibility for savings on health insurance plans offered through BeWell is based on income. You can schedule a free appointment with a bilingual certified assister to find out if you are eligible.
Centennial Care, New Mexico’s Medicaid Program
Medicaid eligibility is based on income and immigration status. Non-citizens and immigrants may have to wait five years after obtaining “qualified” immigration status to be eligible to apply. Other groups, like legally residing children and pregnant women, are exempt from the waiting period and can apply immediately. We encourage people to reach out directly to Medicaid to learn more about their options.
New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool
The New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool provides access to health insurance coverage to residents of New Mexico who are denied health insurance and considered uninsurable.If you don’t qualify for BeWell or Medicaid, you may be able to purchase coverage through the New Mexico Insurance Pool.
See which coverage you qualify for based on your immigration status using the chart below.
| To get covered, contact: | Medicaid 1.855.637.6574 yes.state.nm.us |
BeWell 1.833.862.3935 beWellnm.com |
NM Medical Insurance Pool 1.844.728.7896 nmmip.org |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Status | All Immigration Statuses including documented and undocumented as long as they reside in the State of New Mexico & do not qualify for Medicaid or BeWell | ✔ | ||
| Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/Green Card holder) | ✔may have a 5 year waiting period* | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Lawful Temporary Resident Individual with Non-immigrant Status. Includes worker visas (such as H1, H-2A, H-2B), student visas, U-visa, T-visa, and other visas. | ✔pregnant women and/or children under the age of 21 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refugees/Asylee and Conditional Entrant Granted before 1980 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Victim of Trafficking and his/her Spouse, Child, Sibling or Parent | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Administrative order staying removal issued by the Department of Homeland Security | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | Beginning November 1, 2024 | ✔ | ||
Additional Terms You May Need to Know:
Public charge is a test to see if someone applying for a green card or a visa is likely to use public benefits. Public Charge never applies to healthcare subsidies you may receive through the Exchange, Medicaid received by children, 21 years and younger and pregnant women, refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes, special immigrant juvenile status, and others. Contact an immigration attorney if you have questions.
Emergency Medicaid Services For Non-Citizens (EMSNC) is available to cover the costs of emergencies for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid due to their immigration status.
