How to Apply for New Mexico Medicaid
Updated August 2026
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and its Income Support Division offices handle Medicaid eligibility determinations. Per the HCA Turquoise Care FAQ, applications go through the YesNM portal, by phone, or in person at an Income Support Division (ISD) office.
How to apply for New Mexico Medicaid
- Online — YesNM portal: Apply at yes.nm.gov. Log into your account to apply, check eligibility, select or change your Turquoise Care MCO, report changes, and access renewal forms. Step-by-step instructions are available on HCA's YouTube channel at youtube.com/@nmhca.
- By phone: Call HCA at 1-800-283-4465 to apply, ask eligibility questions, or get help selecting an MCO. For MCO selection specifically, call 1-888-997-2583. TTY users call 711 for relay services.
- In person — Income Support Division office: HCA's Income Support Division offices handle Medicaid eligibility across New Mexico. Staff can accept applications, verify documents, and process complex household situations. ISD offices are located in most counties. Call 1-800-283-4465 to find your nearest office.
- By mail — paper application: Paper applications can be mailed to HCA. Mail to: Central ASPEN Scanning Area (CASA), PO Box 830, Bernalillo, NM 87004. This method is slowest. Use online or phone if you need coverage to start promptly.
What you need to apply
HCA verifies identity, New Mexico residency, income, household size, and citizenship or immigration status. MAGI-based groups (most adults, children, pregnant women) have no asset test — savings, vehicles, and home equity are not counted.
- Full legal name and date of birth for each household member applying
- Social Security numbers for all applicants
- Proof of New Mexico residency — utility bill, lease, or official mail at current address
- Income documentation — pay stubs from the past 30 days, employer letter, or last year's tax return
- Immigration documents for non-citizen applicants
- For institutional care (nursing home) applications: contact HCA directly — non-MAGI rules apply and an asset review is required
- For Native Americans: tribal enrollment documentation if you wish to opt out of managed care
Selecting a Turquoise Care health plan after approval
Once approved for Medicaid, most members are enrolled in Turquoise Care managed care. Per the HCA, four MCOs serve the Turquoise Care population: Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM), Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, Presbyterian Health Plan, and United Healthcare Community Plan of New Mexico. Each plan offers different Value-Added Services beyond standard Medicaid benefits — a list is available at hca.nm.gov.
Select your MCO through the YesNM portal or by calling 1-888-997-2583. If you do not choose a plan, HCA will assign you to one. You can change plans within the first 90 days of enrollment, and then once annually. Ask your current doctors whether they are contracted with a given MCO before selecting — especially in rural areas where network differences matter most.
Under 42 CFR 435.912, HCA must process most applications within 45 days. Coverage typically begins the first of the application month if approved. Pregnant women may receive retroactive coverage going back up to three months.
New Mexico Medicaid
Visit the official New Mexico Medicaid websiteRelated guides
How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →Approval Time
Federal processing deadlines and what affects your approval timeline.
Read more →