New Mexico residents have a new window to secure health coverage for 2027. Open enrollment on the state’s Affordable Care Act exchange, BeWell, began Sunday, Nov. 1, and will run through Jan. 15. The deadline gives families, seniors and individuals a chance to select a plan before the new year.
State Support Mitigates Federal Reductions
BeWell’s director of marketing, Clint Reecer, emphasized that the marketplace remains unchanged despite rising premiums. “If you’re not eligible for coverage through your job, your partner, Medicaid or Medicare, now is the time to get coverage for 2027,” he said.
While the Trump administration’s recent healthcare cuts have been described as chaotic and cruel, New Mexico’s Health Care Affordability Fund has stepped in to protect consumers. House Speaker Javier Martínez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, noted that the fund helped shore up the exchange after those cuts, ensuring that no New Mexican on the marketplace saw an increase the way others did nationwide.
Premium Increases and State Subsidies
Despite the fund’s assistance, individual plan premiums rose sharply, averaging a 36% increase between 2025 and 2026. The state’s Superintendent of Insurance, Alice Kane, approved a 24.4% average rate hike for 2027 plans, meaning many will face higher monthly costs.
To counteract these hikes, the Legislature has allocated $188 million for subsidies in 2026, targeting middle‑income households that lost expanded federal assistance when Congress let the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expire in 2025. The state’s Health Care Affordability Fund, originally set aside at nearly $40 million in 2025, now projects a surplus of $177 million by fiscal year 2028, thanks to higher premiums and additional legislative appropriations.
Enrollment Milestones
More than 84,000 New Mexicans enrolled during the 2025‑2026 open enrollment period, a record high and the only state in the nation to see an increase in ACA marketplace enrollment during that cycle, according to KFF analysis. About 40% of current BeWell customers pay $0 in monthly premiums after state and federal subsidies.
Carrier participation remains steady, with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, Presbyterian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and United Healthcare continuing to offer plans through 2027.
Future Funding Questions
State officials warn that the Health Care Affordability Fund could face solvency challenges by fiscal year 2028 without further adjustments. An August analysis flagged a potential deficit, though newer estimates suggest a surplus due to the premium surge and legislative boosts.
The Health Care Authority has requested $317 million in base spending for the fund in FY 2028 and is considering tightening eligibility, possibly ending subsidies for those earning more than 600% of the federal poverty level (about $95,000 for an individual).
Legislative Outlook
U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernández have co‑sponsored the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act, which would reinstate the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits and roll back the 2025 Medicaid work‑requirements. The bill has yet to advance, but supporters hope it will gain traction if Democrats make gains in the upcoming midterms.
For now, New Mexicans are urged to review their options on BeWell, compare plans, and take advantage of any available subsidies before the Jan. 15 deadline.
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
