Medicaid Unwinding in New Mexico: What You Need to Know If You Lose Coverage
Key takeaways:
Medicaid renewals in New Mexico are changing because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. This is being called the unwinding of Medicaid, and millions of people could lose coverage during this process.
Medicaid renewals were automatic during the PHE, and enrollees had continuous coverage. As part of the unwinding process, automatic renewals for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ended nationwide on March 31, 2023.
New Mexico has started Medicaid eligibility reviews. Make sure the New Mexico Human Services Department has your current contact information so you can receive notifications about your potential renewal. If you can’t be reached or no longer qualify for Medicaid, you could lose coverage as early as May 1, 2023.
If you lose your Medicaid coverage, you and your family may be eligible for other low-cost insurance options — such as an Affordable Care Act plan — which is offered through the beWellnm marketplace in New Mexico.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in January 2020, which was renewed a dozen times through February 2023.
During the COVID PHE, Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health insurance coverage without eligibility reviews. That’s because states and territories were required to provide continuous coverage during the PHE.
Automatic Medicaid renewals stopped on March 31, 2023 ahead of the PHE ending on May 11, 2023. This is being called the unwinding of Medicaid.
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As part of the unwinding, all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and 5 U.S. territories are resuming eligibility reviews of Medicaid and CHIP enrollees to determine who still qualifies for benefits. This is called the redetermination process. If you or your family members are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you could lose coverage as early as May 1, 2023.
With these changes on the horizon, it’s important to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know — and what you can do — if you lose your Medicaid coverage in New Mexico.
Why is Medicaid changing nationwide?
When the PHE ends on May 11, 2023, COVID-19 will still be a public health priority. However, it will no longer be considered a public health emergency.
Because of this, Medicaid renewals will no longer be automatic. The process of enrolling in — and receiving benefits for — Medicaid will return to the way it was before the pandemic.
As a result of the unwinding, millions of people nationwide risk losing Medicaid coverage, including 87,000 to 110,000 people in New Mexico.
What’s happening with Medicaid renewal in New Mexico?
New Mexico’s Human Services Department (HSD) is responsible for overseeing the state’s Medicaid program, which is called Centennial Care. HSD has released a redetermination plan that details how the state will handle the unwinding, which includes reviewing about 985,000 Medicaid cases.
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Enrollees are being encouraged to update their contact information in an “It’s Time to Renew NM!” outreach campaign that includes:
Text messages
Social media posts
Direct mail
Media interviews
Press conferences
Engagement with sister agencies, stakeholders, and partner organizations
In March, HSD started checking people’s eligibility for renewals and plans to continue to do so through April 2024. HSD plans to notify enrollees when it’s their turn to renew. People considered “high risk” — such as enrollees with a high medical need or receiving intensive care coordination — are scheduled for renewal toward the end of the unwinding period.
How to renew Medicaid in New Mexico
Here’s how to renew your Medicaid, according to the state’s “It’s Time to Renew NM!” campaign:
Update your contact information as soon as possible.
You will receive a turquoise-colored envelope about 45 days before your renewal deadline with directions on how to renew.
Log in to your YesNM account and click on the “renew my benefits” button to complete your application online. This is the fastest way for your renewal to be processed.
If you have questions, call 1-800-283-4465 from 7AM to 6:30PM local time Monday through Friday. You can speak to someone in English or Spanish and request translation in more than 50 languages.
Tribal health and Medicaid unwinding
New Mexico is reaching out to people in Indian tribes, nations, and pueblos who are enrolled in Medicaid to help them complete the renewal process.
The National Indian Health Board estimates that as many as 236,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives could lose coverage during the unwinding process. Advocates are working to ensure eligible individuals in these groups keep their Medicaid coverage.
What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage in New Mexico?
You should still qualify for Medicaid in New Mexico if you meet all of the following criteria:
You’re a New Mexico resident.
You’re a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legal resident.
You need assistance accessing low-cost healthcare or insurance coverage.
Your annual household income before taxes is below the limit for your household size.
And you’re one of the following:
Pregnant
Child or teenager
In charge of caring for a child 18 years old or younger
Blind
65 years old or older (under certain conditions)
Person with a disability, or a family member in your household has a disability
In need of nursing home care
If you no longer meet these requirements, your health insurance will not be renewed, and you will no longer have Medicaid coverage.
If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, your account and information will be transferred to New Mexico’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, beWellnm, where you can purchase a health plan and may be eligible for a premium subsidy.
If your Medicaid coverage is terminated but you believe you still qualify, you should reapply for coverage in New Mexico. You might be uninsured while you’re waiting to be approved. In the meantime, you can consider free and low-cost healthcare options. And, if you have prescription medications, you can use free GoodRx coupons to save money.
Check to see if you qualify for coverage elsewhere if you don’t intend to reapply for Medicaid and aren’t eligible for another government healthcare program. Depending on your individual situation, you might qualify for health insurance through one of the following options:
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace: beWellnm is New Mexico’s ACA marketplace program. You may be able to get coverage for no more than $10 a month if you qualify for a premium subsidy. If you lose your Medicaid coverage, you can enroll in an ACA plan during a special enrollment period that lasts from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024.
Employer plan: If your company offers health insurance, you may be able to enroll in that plan.
Medicare: You can enroll in Medicare, regardless of age, if you have a qualifying disability or condition — such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Partner’s plan: If your domestic partner or spouse has health insurance, you may be able to join their plan during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Special plans: Short-term health insurance can be a good option if you expect to get on a better plan soon. You could also consider alternative and limited-benefit plans, such as fixed indemnity, accident, catastrophic insurance, and cost-sharing plans.
Student health plan: If you’re a college or university student, you could be eligible for a campus health plan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): If you’re an active-duty service member or a veteran, you may be eligible for TRICARE coverage or VA benefits and services.
New Mexico Medicaid resources
Here are some websites where you can learn more about the upcoming Medicaid changes related to the end of the PHE:
New Mexico Medicaid office: The state’s Human Services Department administers Medicaid in New Mexico, which is known as Centennial Care.
New Mexico Medicaid self-service portal: You can log in to your Medicaid account 24/7 through the New Mexico Medicaid portal or your Yes NM account to confirm and update your contact information.
New Mexico Medicaid redetermination: The state’s redetermination plan includes more details about Medicaid unwinding in New Mexico, including the timeline of changes.
The bottom line
COVID-19 will no longer be considered a public health emergency as of May 11, 2023, and automatic Medicaid renewals ended on March 31, 2023. Many people in New Mexico are at risk of losing their Medicaid and CHIP coverage due to this change.
New Mexico will be reviewing Medicaid eligibility for current enrollees until April 2024. During this period, you’ll receive notifications about your eligibility as well as how to renew. Make sure the New Mexico Human Services Department has your current contact information or you could miss important notices or your opportunity to renew.
If you do lose your Medicaid coverage, you could still be eligible for another health insurance plan. Your options include an Affordable Care Act plan through the beWellnm state marketplace, Medicare, or employer-sponsored insurance.
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References
Benefits.gov. (n.d.). New Mexico Medicaid.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Unwinding and returning to regular operations after COVID-19.
National Indian Health Board. (2023). Medicaid unwinding. Tribal Health Reform Resource Center.
New Mexico Human Services Department. (n.d.). Centennial Care overview.
New Mexico Human Services Department. (n.d.). Native Americans.
New Mexico Human Services Department. (2023). Human Services Department announces the end of Medicaid continuous coverage federal requirement.
New Mexico Human Services Department. (2023). It’s time to Renew NM.
New Mexico Human Services Department. (2023). Medicaid and SNAP COVID-19 public health emergency and continuous enrollment operational unwinding plan.
Tolbert, J., et al. (2023). 10 things to know about the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. Kaiser Family Foundation.
U.S. Administration for Strategic Response and Preparedness. (2020). Determination that a public health emergency exists.
U.S. Administration for Strategic Response and Preparedness. (2023). Renewal of determination that a public health emergency exists.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). VA & TRICARE information.
