For many Native American families in New Mexico, deciding whether to get health insurance takes a series of discussions and decisions. Charlotte Jameson, Native American Outreach Specialist at BeWell, knows where you’re coming from.
Jameson was raised on the Navajo reservation. As a member of both the Navajo tribe and the Okewinge Pueblo, she recognizes that building trust begins with conversations.
“I have a very good understanding of the culture, and I speak the formal language as well as the newer language,” she explained. “That helps me to communicate that I’m not there to gain business—I’m there to be a resource and help.”
In her outreach role, Jameson meets with New Mexicans in local communities and across the state. Whether she is attending Chapter House meetings or setting up an enrollment booth at the Gallup Flea Market, her goal is to help Native Americans understand their health coverage options and get answers to their questions.
Take Your Time for Big Decisions
Jameson views her community visits as an invitation to move forward when the time is right for everyone involved. Families often want to discuss details of health insurance coverage together, thinking through how their choices will affect everyone in their family and their community before they make their final decision.
“As a Native American, I can say we take our time,” she said. “We don’t usually make decisions on the spot. We want to understand the choices, we want to think about it. We might want to talk to our significant other or family members and get their input before we make a decision.”
BeWell provides space for this careful consideration. Native Americans and Alaska Natives living in New Mexico can sign up for health coverage at any time during the year, without having to wait until Open Enrollment. If you’re a Native American or Alaska Native living in New Mexico, you can take all the time you need to make the right choice for your family, on your schedule.
Related: Read “This Navajo Family Got Affordable Health Coverage — and Peace of Mind”
How Having Health Insurance Benefits Local Clinics
Jameson says people often ask whether health insurance through BeWell replaces Indian Health Service (IHS) or Tribal Health Care Center coverage. She explains that health insurance is meant to work alongside the care these centers provide.
“With coverage through BeWell, you can still go to IHS and your local clinics,” Jameson said, “plus you have the option to go to clinics outside the community if you need advanced care or want a second opinion.”
Having health insurance through BeWell helps everyone in the community, too. When you have insurance, IHS and Tribal Health Care Centers can ask the insurance company to pay for your visits. This gives the clinics extra money that they don’t get in their regular budget. With this extra money, they can help more people for more of the year. Your BeWell coverage doesn’t just help you and your family; it helps your whole community.
Benefits of Having Health Coverage
IHS and Tribal Health Care Centers offer health care services at their clinics. But they do not offer health insurance, which covers health care outside the clinics.
BeWell is New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace. It is specifically for people who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, or cannot get affordable health insurance through an employer.
All health insurance plans through BeWell cover 10 essential health benefits, including emergency services, prescription medications, and mental health care. Having health insurance means you are covered in several ways:
- More specialists: You can see doctors outside IHS and Tribal Health Care Centers.
- Protection while travelling: If you’re away from home and have an emergency, BeWell plans cover urgent and emergency care.
- Familiar plan names: BeWell partners with the same carriers as Medicaid so you can stay with your provider if you lose your Medicaid.
- Cost-sharing benefits: Depending on your income and household size, you may qualify for no cost-sharing. This means you might not have to pay co-pays or deductibles when you get care.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to get more information or ask questions, you can often find Jameson and the BeWell team at the Gallup Flea Market on the first weekend of every month.
“We try to be in as many places as we can, talking one-on-one, so we can help people get enrolled,” Jameson said.
Related: Read “Native American Health Insurance Coverage: Weighing Your Options”
How to Get Started
When you’re ready to consider your options, BeWell makes the process straightforward. To start your application, first gather a few pieces of information for everyone in your household:
- Social Security numbers and dates of birth
- Annual gross income information (how much money you earn before taxes)
- Details on how you file your taxes
- Information about any job-related insurance that might be available to your family
You don’t have to navigate the paperwork alone. Our Certified Assisters are available to help you through every step of the process, whether that’s in person, over the phone or through our website. We can help you compare plans, answer your questions and help you get enrolled.
For more information, or to find a local assister, visit BeWellnm.com or call 833-862-3935.
