Resident Requirements for New Mexico Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal and state-funded program serving needy individuals in New Mexico. This program has a number of financial and other eligibility requirements. Medicaid provides payment for medical services, including therapy, surgery and resources such as wheelchairs for children under the age of 19, the elderly over the age of 65 and the disabled.

Who Qualifies?

• Medicaid is intended for people who are impoverished. Financial requirements are very strict and usually only the unemployed qualify. All children whose parents cannot pay for medical insurance qualify. There are approximately 40 ways to qualify for New Mexico Medicaid, which make it possible for many people to receive assistance. Some eligibility qualifications include being pregnant if the woman would otherwise not qualify, being a caretaker of a child who qualifies, having a disability or a household member with a disability, as well as qualifying because of age.

Residency Requirements

• To qualify for New Mexico Medicaid, you must be a resident of New Mexico as a U.S. national, a citizen, permanent resident or legal alien in conjunction with having a very low income. Illegal immigrants do not qualify for Medicaid in New Mexico, although their minor children may qualify if they are natural-born U.S. citizens.

To Apply

• To find out if you qualify for this program based on your income, you can call toll free to the income support division at 888-997-2583. You can also find more information on other eligibility categories at the New Mexico MAD website. To apply you must first make an appointment with your local Medicaid or Welfare office. You can find yours at the NM MAD website. They will provide you with an application, answer your initial questions and make sure you have filled out your application properly. Afterward you will be sent for a screening to see if you qualify for other services as well. If you pass the initial screening you will be sent for an eligibility interview. Support documentation is required for this step, including birth certificates, recommendation letters from doctors, proof of income or unemployment and more. If you pass this final interview you will begin receiving medical coverage through Medicaid.