Usually when you want to buy something it’s simple to walk into the store and get what you need right away. But with health insurance, you have to wait for an enrollment period or special enrollment period to buy.
Feeling confused? Let’s sort it out!
An enrollment period is the time when you can make changes to your health insurance plan or sign up for a new one. There are two enrollment periods:
- Open Enrollment Period: From November 1 through January 15, you can make changes to your health insurance, select a new plan through the marketplace, and update your income or household information (which affects your advance premium tax credit).
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): A time outside the Open Enrollment Period when you may qualify to sign up for health insurance. Qualifications include your income level and certain life events like getting married, having a baby or losing Medicaid coverage.
Native Americans in New Mexico who are members of a federally recognized tribe can select health insurance anytime of the year through BeWell. You can keep seeing your Indian Health Service or Tribal Health Care Center doctors in addition to clinics covered by your insurance. Check out benefits for Native Americans.
All these guidelines can make shopping for health insurance a little confusing. Let’s walk through what open enrollment and special enrollment mean for you and how to get the right coverage at the right time.
Open Enrollment Period
The Open Enrollment Period is the window of time each year when anyone who qualifies can make changes to their health insurance plan or enroll in a new one. Individuals can get insurance and savings on their premiums through BeWell if they meet the following criteria:
- Won’t be covered under Medicaid, Medicare, or employee-sponsored health insurance.
- Are a resident of New Mexico.
- Are a U.S. citizen, national, or lawfully present non-citizen
The 2024 Open Enrollment Period is November 1 to January 15. If this is your first time shopping for health insurance or if you just need help, the BeWell Certified Assister team is here to help. Join us at an enrollment event near you. Or schedule time for one-on-one enrollment help at no cost to you.
If you miss the Open Enrollment Period, you may have to wait until next year to make changes to your plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Special Enrollment Period
A Special Enrollment Period is a time outside the Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you have had a qualifying life event, such as:
- Becoming a U.S. Citizen
- Becoming an enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized tribe
- Gaining lawful presence in the U.S.
- Getting married
- Having or adopting a child
- Losing Medicaid or other health insurance coverage
- Moving to New Mexico
- Turning 26 years old
You may also be eligible for an SEP if your household income is 200% of the federal poverty level or less and you are not eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
In 2024, 200% of the federal poverty level is:
- A single person making less than $2,510 per month or $30,120 per year
- A family of five making less than $6,097 per month or $73,160 per year
Ready to shop for health insurance? BeWell is the only place in New Mexico that offers no-cost help to enroll in health insurance. Schedule one-on-one help with a BeWell Certified Assister. Or use our handy Health Insurance 101 guide to get started.
Lost Medicaid?
Lost Medicaid?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, there are new limits on who qualifies for Medicaid. The best way to know if you can get Medicaid is to renew.
You may have gotten a text message, email or letter in a turquoise envelope from the State of New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD). This means you need to renew your Medicaid to find out if you still qualify.
If you did not get an email, text or turquoise letter from HSD, follow these steps:
- Update your email address, mailing address or phone number with HSD. Use this link to give your contact information. Or update your contact information through chat.
- Watch for your turquoise letter, text or email alert. This is your sign to renew. If your renewal date is close, call 800-283-4465.
- Renew your coverage. Sign in to the HSD website with your username and password. Then, click Renew My Benefits.
If you did get an email, text or letter, sign in to the HSD website. Then click Renew My Benefits. If you are no longer eligible, you will need to replace Medicaid with health insurance.
Questions about replacing Medicaid or enrolling in health insurance? We can help you find the best plan. Call 833-862-3935 today or schedule an appointment to get help from a BeWell Certified Assister.
