New Mexico Medicaid (Turquoise Care)
Last updated August 2026
New Mexico Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. Most members now get care through Turquoise Care, the managed care program that began July 1, 2024 and replaced Centennial Care. Apply online at yes.nm.gov, or call 1-800-283-4465.
The name changed, so do not let it confuse you. Turquoise Care runs under a federal 1115 waiver that the government approved on July 25, 2024, effective through December 31, 2028. If you were covered under Centennial Care, you are now in Turquoise Care.
Coverage reaches working-age adults. The adult expansion group covers adults with income under 133 percent of poverty. New Mexico applies a standard 5 percent income disregard, which lifts the effective adult line to about 138 percent of poverty. Both parents and adults without children can qualify.
Children reach higher on the income scale. Full Medicaid covers children from birth to age 5 up to 200 percent of poverty. The related CHIP tiers reach up to 300 percent of poverty for young children. Pregnant people get full Medicaid, with pregnancy-related coverage up to 250 percent.
Here is a rule that helps many families. The main Medicaid groups, adults, children, pregnant people, and families, have no asset or resource test. Only your income counts. So you do not have to be nearly broke to qualify.
Once approved, you choose a plan. Members pick from four managed care plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, Molina Healthcare, Presbyterian Health Plan, and United Healthcare Community Plan. If you do not pick one, you are assigned to a plan. Each person in a household has a separate pathway, so apply even if someone was turned down before.
Phone 1-800-283-4465
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- New Mexico residents who meet the income rules for their group; coverage expanded to low-income adults 19 to 64 alongside children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities
- Each group has its own pathway, so a past denial for one person decides nothing about the rest of the household; apply even if you were turned down before
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at yes.nm.gov, or call 1-800-283-4465.
- 2
Have proof of identity, income, and New Mexico residency ready.
- 3
Apply for every family member, since each person has a separate pathway.
- 4
Note that the main groups have no asset test, so income is what counts.
- 5
After approval, choose one of the four Turquoise Care plans.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of income for the household
- Proof of New Mexico residency, plus immigration documents where they apply. The office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who qualifies for New Mexico Medicaid?
Children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. Adults qualify up to about 138 percent of poverty after a 5 percent disregard.
Is there an asset test?
No, not for the main groups. Adults, children, pregnant people, and families are judged on income only, with no asset or resource test.
What is Turquoise Care?
It is New Mexico's Medicaid managed care program that began July 1, 2024 and replaced Centennial Care. It runs under a federal waiver through December 31, 2028.
How do I apply?
Online at yes.nm.gov or by calling 1-800-283-4465. After approval you choose one of four health plans.
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