The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion in New Mexico, which is also referred to as the ACA Medicaid expansion and the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, provides affordable health care coverage for legal residents in a new way. The ACA Medicaid expansion was enacted to broaden the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, ultimately allowing more applicants to be eligible for benefits. Most Medicaid petitioners wonder, “What is the expansion of Medicaid and how will I be affected?” Learning the Obamacare Medicaid expansion details is important for new applicants. Prospective petitioners who are considering submitting the NM Affordable Care Act Medicaid application should understand as much as possible about the expansion to better be prepared. Learn about the new Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility guidelines by reading the following sections.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in New Mexico

“What is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in New Mexico and what does it mean for the state?” is a common question from prospective applicants. Before 2014 and the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, New Mexico Medicaid was offered to low-income beneficiaries who fit into categories, such as seniors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, children and low-income parents/guardians. Low-income, able-bodied adults between 19 and 64 years of age who did not have dependents could not qualify to receive Medicaid. But with the new Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid, New Mexico has extended its reach in terms of Medicaid eligibility requirements and coverage. After opting in to the ACA expansion of Medicaid, New Mexico saw significant increases in applicants covered by the program. New Mexico accepted federal funding in order to expand Medicaid benefits.

The new ACA Medicaid eligibility guidelines were not accepted everywhere in the U.S. Only thirty-one states and Washington D.C. participated, while the rest chose to leave their Medicaid eligibility guidelines the same. The ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states may have been a deciding factor in this decision. While the expansion is initially funded by the federal government, the state government is eventually required to contribute funding. For New Mexico, the ACA Medicaid expansion has led to more state residents receiving affordable health care. To learn more about the Medicaid expansion, you can download our complimentary guide today.

What does opting into the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for New Mexico?

The ACA Medicaid expansion in New Mexico has made a significant difference in terms of how residents become eligible for benefits. The Obamacare expansion of Medicaid increased the number of beneficiaries who are covered by Medicaid benefits, as well as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by over 300,000. In addition, ACA expansion for Medicaid allowed for a reduction of the uninsured residents in New Mexico by 37 percent from 2013 to 2015. The Affordable Care Act expansion for Medicaid provides pregnant women with pregnancy-related coverage if they have a household income of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Children under the CHIP program are covered from birth to age six with a household income up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level and from ages seven to 18 with a household income up to 240 percent of the federal poverty level. The primary group of residents who were affected by the NM Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion were adults who were childless. Coverage was expanded to cover everyone within 138 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of whether or not they have children or meet the previous stipulations for coverage. To learn more about how the ACA Medicaid expansion has affected requirements for Medicaid, download our comprehensive guide.

What happens if the ACA Medicaid Expansion is repealed in New Mexico?

The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion in New Mexico created an enrollment jump of 66 percent within a three year period. But what happens if the ACA expansion is repealed? There is a possibility of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility rules reverting back to the original guidelines, especially if no program is submitted in its place. If the NM Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid is repealed, then the New Mexico residents who found coverage under the new rules and guidelines may lose their affordable health care. This is why it is important to follow the ACA Medicaid expansion news and updates, especially for approved beneficiaries, in case something should arise.