Just over 9% of New Mexico’s residents are immigrants, or foreign-born noncitizens. If you are an immigrant legally residing in New Mexico, you may be eligible for health insurance coverage. Undocumented New Mexicans are eligible for emergency coverage, which is available through Centennial Care, NM’s Medicaid program.
Health insurance improves quality of life and shields your family from the high costs of medical care.
Get to know your options before you choose a plan. You may be eligible to apply for coverage with one or more of the following:
- BeWell (New Mexico’s Health Insurance Marketplace)
- Turquoise Care (New Mexico’s Medicaid Program)
- New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool
Find What Coverage You Qualify For
You may save money with a BeWell or Medicaid plan. Your options will vary, depending on your income and immigration status.
BeWell Marketplace
To qualify for insurance through BeWell, you must:
- Be a New Mexico resident.
- Have no access to employer-sponsored coverage, Medicaid or Medicare.
- Be lawfully present (lawfully residing) with a valid Social Security number, F1 Visa or other immigration documentation.
If you qualify and enroll, you may get premium tax credits and other savings on plans.
A recent eligibility change expanded the options for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigrants. DACA individuals can enroll starting November 1, 2024, with coverage beginning as soon as December 2024.
International undergraduate and graduate college students with F1 visas may apply for Marketplace plans. Undocumented immigrants may not buy Marketplace health insurance coverage through BeWell. However, they may apply for coverage on behalf of any documented people in their household.
BeWell eligibility:
- Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/Green Card holder): yes
- Lawfully residing pregnant woman or child: yes
- International student with an F1 visa: yes
- Refugee and asylum seeker: yes
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA): yes, starting November 1, 2024
- Undocumented immigrants: no
Individual open enrollment opens each year, from Nov. 1 – Jan. 15. Or, if you have a qualifying event, you can sign up for coverage outside the open enrollment period. Contact a BeWell Certified Assister with any questions.
Turquoise Care Medicaid
Some Legal Permanent Residents must wait 5 years after obtaining qualified immigration status to apply for Medicaid. Legally residing children and pregnant women can apply right away.
Medicaid eligibility:
- Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/Green Card holder): yes, after 5 years of qualified status
- Lawfully residing pregnant woman or child: yes, immediately
- International student with an F1 visa: yes, immediately
- Refugee and asylum seeker: yes, immediately
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA): no
- Undocumented immigrant: no, eligible for medical emergency services only
Get more information and apply for Turquoise Care Medicaid on the YesNM Online Portal.
New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool
If you are not eligible for a marketplace plan or Medicaid, you can apply for health insurance coverage through the New Mexico Insurance Pool or by calling 1-844-728-7896.
We’re Here to Help You Through the Process
BeWell is the only marketplace in New Mexico that offers no-cost help to enroll in health insurance. We have Certified Assisters that speak multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
Get started today. Make an appointment with a bilingual Certified Assister or call 833-To-BeWell for help finding coverage.
