Time running out for health insurance sign ups in New Mexico

Dec. 01--With time running out for health insurance enrollments in New Mexico, the state's insurance exchange is encouraging people to enroll in or adjust their plans, or they will be without health insurance for the next year.

New Mexicans have about two weeks left to enroll in the state's health insurance exchange to ensure their healthcare is covered for 2018.

Enrollment in beWellnm ends on Dec. 15 for customers to enroll in a new plan, make changes or renew their plans.

Enrollees can choose from a variety of plans, read a news release from beWellnm, and many can qualify for $0 premiums if they qualify for advance premium tax subsidies, also known as premium assistance for low income customers.

"Users are given the convenience to shop, compare and choose a monthly premium and deductible limit that best fits their health needs and budget," read the release.

Qualified health insurance plans can help consumers avoid tax penalties, read the release, along with providing individual benefits and limiting out-of-pocket expenses.

"Foremost, it helps avert costly visits to the doctor's office and emergency room," the release read. "Emergency care, whether it concerns aid for an accident or a less extreme concern such as getting sick, can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars."

Customers also benefit through preventative care, the release read, via annual checkups, which can find health problems earlier and treat them sooner.

Insurance can also provide access to blood tests and other screenings, often without a copay, while also managing ongoing chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.

"With more affordable primary care and specialist visits, individuals are able to stay on top of diseases and manage them more effectively," the release read.

BeWellnm provides free counseling and resources to those looking to enroll.

Certified brokers and agents are also available free of charge at bwellnm.com/find-broker or 833-862-3935.

In person assistance is available at enrollment centers in Albuquerque, Gallup, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.

Coverage plans can be compared using the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance's plan comparison tool at OSIcomparehealthplans.org.

BeWellnm also partners with small businesses to offer plans for employees.

Anyone interested in purchasing insurance through the exchange can go to beWellnm.com or call 1-833-ToBeWell.

The most recent data from the New Mexico Department of Public Health shows New Mexicans lack health insurance at a rate slightly higher than the national average, but the rate was cut in half between 2006 and 2015.

In 2006, New Mexicans were uninsured at a rate of about 26 percent, and 13 percent in 2015.

The country's national uninsured rate was 17 percent in 2006, and 10 percent in 2015.

The steepest decline both nationally and statewide was recorded between 2013 and 2015, about three years after the passage of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

About 14 percent of Eddy County residents were uninsured in 2015, records show, the tenth lowest in the state with about 5,500 people reportedly uninsured out of a population of 49,224.

Los Alamos had the lowest rate of uninsured at 3 percent, and De Baca County was the highest at about 20 percent.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

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