Open enrollment for health plan through state marketplace ends Wednesday

Jan. 13—Time is running out: Open enrollment with BeWell, New Mexico's health insurance marketplace, ends Wednesday.

So far, data from BeWell shows nearly 68,000 New Mexicans have enrolled or reenrolled in individual health insurance plans for 2025, outpacing last year's figures by more than 10,000 patients.

The surge in sign-ups comes amid a nationwide uptick in the number of people selecting a health insurance plan during the open enrollment window. As of Jan. 4, nearly 23.6 million Americans had signed up for coverage, outpacing figures from the record-breaking 2024 open enrollment period.

"All across the country, we are seeing record enrollment, and this is really the time to not put off getting health insurance. It's just too important," said Alex Sanchez, BeWell's chief experience officer.

BeWell is what's known as a state-based marketplace, or a health insurance marketplace that uses its own eligibility and enrollment platform rather than the nationwide platform at HealthCare.gov.

To enroll in a health insurance plan with BeWell during the open enrollment period, you must:

* Be a New Mexico resident.

* Be ineligible for Medicaid, Medicare or health insurance through your job or a parent or spouse's job.

* Not be incarcerated.

Essentially, Sanchez said, "Open enrollment happens once a year. It's where, if you don't have health insurance through Medicaid, Medicare or your job, you can come find affordable, reliable health insurance plans through the marketplace."

Those who enroll before the Jan. 15 deadline will be covered starting Feb. 1.

There are a few groups that qualify for special enrollment periods, or can enroll in a plan at times other than the November to January window. These include Native Americans, people in low-income households, people turning 26 and those who experience a "qualifying life event," like a birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, move or naturalization.

The health care marketplace is the result of the federal Affordable Care Act — but you're not signing up for so-called "Obamacare," which isn't a health insurance plan or carrier. Rather, BeWell's enrollment process allows consumers to compare and select plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Presbyterian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and United Healthcare.

BeWell's plans are also heavily subsidized through the Health Care Affordability Fund, which was approved in 2021 by the New Mexico Legislature. About half of those enrolled in health insurance plans through BeWell pay less than $10 per month, Sanchez said.

"It's the only place in the state where you can qualify for premiums to reduce your cost for insurance," she said.

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