New Mexicans looking for health insurance can enroll online starting this weekend through a government website serving as the state's online marketplace for medical plans.
Nearly 35,000 New Mexicans signed up for insurance plans offered by private insurers through the state's health insurance exchange in the first enrollment period, which ended earlier this year.
J. R. Damron, chairman of the exchange's governing board, said he hopes the state will be able to enroll between 40,000 and 45,000 individuals in the next three months.
Here are some answers to questions about how New Mexico's health insurance exchange works.
WHEN CAN I BEGIN TO ENROLL?
Enrollment opens Saturday and runs through Feb. 15. Individuals need to enroll by Dec. 15 if they want their coverage to go into effect in January.
HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
New Mexico will use a federal web site for enrolling individuals (www.healthcare.gov ), and the state has a website (http://bewellnm.com ) that provides links for enrollment and other assistance. Consumers can go online to shop for insurance plans, comparing prices and coverage, without enrolling. The state decided to continue using the federal web site for determining eligibility and enrolling individuals. The exchange's governing board decided more time was needed before switching to a planned state-run system. Damron says the federal web site has been upgraded to try to make it easier to use and deal with technical problems that plagued the system when it was launched last year.
WHAT IF I NEED HELP?
The state operates a toll-free call center at 1-855-99-NMHIX, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on holidays. Individuals will be referred to a health care guide or an insurance broker for assistance. Consumers also can go online to find someone near where they live to provide help. Clinics and hospitals often have health care guides that can answer questions and assist with the enrollment process. The exchange also has established an assistance center in Albuquerque where consumers can walk in for help with enrollment or to get more information.
HOW MUCH WILL THE INSURANCE COST?
Premiums vary depending on the insurance plan, region of the state and age of the enrollee. Monthly premiums will range from $183 to $514 for a 50-year-old non-smoking man who lives in the Albuquerque area. Premiums are lower in Albuquerque than other parts of the state because it has more health care providers and greater competition. New Mexicans can select from plans offered by five insurers with a range of coverage called bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The least costly or bronze plans will require people to pay more out-of-pocket expenses.
WHAT IF I CAN'T AFFORD THE PREMIUMS?
Federal premium subsidies are available for some individuals and families depending on their income, generally from about $23,850 to $95,400 for a family of four. Low-income adults also may qualify for medical coverage through the state's Medicaid program. Individuals seeking to enroll in a health plan through the exchange will be referred to Medicaid if they qualify.
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