Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the time of year when we encourage all eligible New Mexicans to enroll in a health insurance plan through BeWell. OEP starts November 1 and ends January 15.
To enroll in a health insurance plan with BeWell during OEP you must meet certain criteria:
- Reside in New Mexico
- Do not have health insurance through your job or a parent’s job (up to age 26)
- Are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare
- Are not incarcerated
Generally, health insurance plans through BeWell cover health care provided by doctors, hospitals and other providers within the United States. If you are living abroad, it’s important to know this before you consider enrolling in insurance through BeWell.
Special Enrollment Periods
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) happen year-round outside of the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). During an SEP you can enroll in or change your health insurance plan if you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) or meet other criteria.
You may be eligible for an SEP if you meet any of the following criteria:
Native Americans – Members of federally recognized Tribes can enroll in coverage any time of year. Members can also change health insurance plans up to once a month. Explore coverage for Native Americans.
If you applied for Medicaid through the New Mexico Health Care Authority but were deemed ineligible, your application will be sent to BeWell. Through BeWell, you may qualify for subsidies such as Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) and/or New Mexico Premium Assistance to help lower the cost of your monthly health insurance premium. BeWell certified assisters will work with you to find a health insurance plan that works for your budget and your family’s needs.
People who are turning 26 – At 26, you age out of a parent’s health insurance plan. You can enroll in a plan through BeWell using one of two options:
- You can take your SEP with BeWell either 60 days before you turn 26 or 60 days after. Enroll by the end of the month before you turn 26 to ensure there is no gap in coverage.
- You can keep existing coverage from a parent’s health insurance plan through the end of the coverage year if your parents are enrolled in marketplace coverage. If you want to start your own plan when you turn 26, call us at 833–862–3539 to request to request a SEP. Make the request up to 60 days before you turn 26 or within 60 days into the renewal year. Enroll by December 31 to ensure there is no gap in coverage.
No longer incarcerated – “Incarcerated” means serving a term in prison or jail. If convicted, you will not be eligible for health insurance coverage through BeWell while you are in jail or prison serving a sentence. “Incarceration” does not include being on probation, parole or home confinement.
If you are incarcerated, you cannot enroll in a plan through BeWell unless you are pending the disposition of charges. After you are released, you have a 60-day SEP to sign up for health coverage through BeWell outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
You may need to submit documents to BeWell to show you are not incarcerated. Documents can include:
- Official release papers from the institution, the New Mexico Corrections Department or the Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Parole papers
- Unexpired state ID, driver’s license, work ID or passport
- Pay stubs
- Federal, state or local benefit letter
- Clinic, doctor or hospital records for services provided
- Medical claim explanation of benefits provided
- School record or schedule showing enrollment (such as for college students)
People who have had a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) –
If you have a QLE, you may be able to enroll in a health plan during an SEP. You generally have 60 days to report your QLE and enroll in a health insurance plan. QLEs include:
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Moving to a new area
- Loss of job-based health insurance for any reason
- Loss of eligibility for Medicaid
- Loss of COBRA coverage
- Loss of health insurance because you have aged out of a parent’s health insurance plan
- Gaining citizenship or lawful presence in the United States
- Change in your income or household members
If you lose health insurance coverage, you will have 60 days from the QLE to enroll in a new health insurance plan through BeWell with no gaps in coverage. If you are not sure if you qualify for an SEP, contact us or schedule a free appointment with a certified assister.
Documentation for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
You may be asked to provide documents to BeWell to confirm the QLE that make you eligible for an SEP. If your eligibility results don’t say you need to provide documents, you don’t have to!
With some QLEs, you will also have to show you had health insurance coverage for at least one day in the past 60 days. These include:
- Income change that makes you eligible for financial assistance
- Marriage
- Moved within New Mexico or new resident of New Mexico
- Survivor of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment
Documents you can submit to prove health insurance coverage in the past 60 days include:
- Document from your insurance carrier such as a letter, notice or statement showing you are or were enrolled in health coverage
- Document from an employer such as a letter, notice or statement about the coverage you had through your job or through a family member’s employer (including COBRA)
- Document from a government health care program such as Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs (VA) or Peace Corps
- Health insurance letter that contains confirmation of health coverage and expiration dates for coverage you got outside the Marketplace, or through another state’s Marketplace
- Letter, notice or statement detailing student coverage
- Pay stub showing a deduction for health coverage from your employer in the past 60 days
If you have to provide documents, submit them as soon as possible after you choose a plan. This will prevent a delay in your coverage starting. Get information about submitting documents.
Private Health Plans
If you buy a private health insurance plan outside of BeWell, you will not be eligible for premium tax credits or other financial assistance based on your income.
Questions? Call 833-862-3935, chat with us, or schedule a free appointment with a certified assister.
Quick Find
Topics
(833-862-3935), TTY: 711
Monday – Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Enrolling for the First Time?
If you’re enrolling in health insurance coverage for the first time, here are a few things you should know.
What Is Covered?
All health plans offered through BeWell provide all 10 of the essential health benefits, which include:
- Ambulatory patient services
- Emergency Services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
What About Dental Insurance?
While not all health insurance plans cover dental care, you can get an affordable standalone dental plan through BeWell marketplace carriers. You can enroll in an individual or a family standalone dental plan through the BeWell marketplace, even if you have Medicare.
Enroll any time throughout the year—there are no open or special enrollment periods like with health insurance.
What Are the Levels of Coverage?
Health plans are grouped into levels on the BeWell Marketplace. These levels include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Turquoise and Clear Cost. Learn more about the plans that are available.
Do I Qualify for Financial Help?
BeWell is the only place where you can qualify for subsidies that can significantly reduce the cost of health insurance. More than 50 percent of uninsured New Mexicans qualify for a free or low-cost health insurance plan. Learn more about the financial assistance available.
I Need Help Enrolling
If you need help enrolling in a plan or understanding the financial assistance that is available, schedule an appointment with a certified assister or enrollment counselor. This free help is available to all New Mexicans.
Who are the Insurance Carriers?
BeWell offers health insurance through the following carriers.
Where Do I Start?
Browse and Compare
Insurance Plans
Before you apply for coverage, you can see the health and/or dental insurance plans available and the estimated cost you will pay plus any subsidies you may qualify for to reduce the cost.
Schedule an Appointment
with a Certified Assister
Certified assisters and enrollment counselors can help you understand your options and enroll in a health insurance plan. Their help is free!
Submit
Your Application
When you’re ready to enroll, you can apply online in about an hour. You can also save your application and come back to it, so you can go at your own pace. Create your BeWell log in to get started.
Browse Our Glossary of Health Insurance Terms
This glossary provides general information. It defines medical terms you may see. It’s not a complete list. Your health plan may define these terms in your plan documents. Look at your plan documents for details. Not sure where to look? Check your Summary of Benefits and Coverage to find out how to get a copy of your policy or plan document.