New Mexico Medicaid & Elder Care
New Mexico's Centennial Care, now Turquoise Care, offers robust home and community-based services through its Community Benefit program, requiring Miller Trusts for income-cap eligibility.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardNew Mexico Monthly Costs
New Mexico's assisted living costs, at approximately $5,000 per month, are about 15% lower than the national median.
Waiver Programs
New Mexico Medicaid Community Benefit Program
Also called: Centennial Care Community Benefit, CoLTS, Agency-Based Community Benefit (ABCB), Self-Directed Community Benefit (SDCB)
The Community Benefit program provides long-term services and supports, enabling eligible seniors to receive care at home or in community settings as an alternative to nursing facility placement. It aims to reduce unnecessary nursing home admissions.
- check_circle Assisted Living Services
- check_circle Adult Day Health Care
- check_circle Home Health Aides
- check_circle Personal Care Assistance
- check_circle Home Modifications
- check_circle Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Private-Duty Nursing
- check_circle Skilled Maintenance Therapies
- check_circle Nutritional Counseling
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Behavioral Support Consultation
- check_circle Community Transition Services
- check_circle Employment Supports
- check_circle Related Goods
- check_circle Start-Up Goods
insights Program Snapshot
- Enrollment
- Approximately 7,800 authorized slots (as of 2024, with 1,000 new slots added)
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC)
- Administered by
- New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
- Self-direction
- Yes, through Self-Directed Community Benefit (SDCB) option
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
New Mexico actively pursues estate recovery for Medicaid costs, including placing liens on homes. However, recovery is delayed for surviving spouses and certain dependents, and hardship provisions are available.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or asset transfers made within 60 months of application can trigger heavy penalties. [cite: 9 from previous search]
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Miller Trust (Income Diversion Trust) if monthly income exceeds the cap. [cite: 9 from previous search]
- warning Joint Accounts: The full balance of joint bank accounts is often counted as the applicant's asset for eligibility purposes. [cite: 9 from previous search]
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local New Mexico Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $2,000.
How to Apply for New Mexico Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification demonstrating the need for a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC).
Gather Records
Collect comprehensive financial statements for the 60-month look-back period, along with income, medical, identity, and residency proofs. [cite: 9 from previous search]
Setup Miller Trust
Establish an Income Diversion Trust (Miller Trust) if your monthly income exceeds the state's Medicaid income cap. [cite: 9 from previous search]
Submit Application
Apply online via YesNM or the New Mexico Health Care Authority website, by phone, mail, or in-person at an Income Support Division office.
Interviews & Assessments
Participate in required caseworker evaluations and functional assessments conducted by a Managed Care Organization (MCO).
Approval & Care
Receive a final eligibility determination and activate your Medicaid benefits for long-term care services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
- Proof of all assets
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
- Other income proofs
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver's license)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of New Mexico residency (e.g., utility bill, rental agreement)
Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico Medicaid
Does New Mexico Medicaid pay for assisted living?
New Mexico's Centennial Care, now known as Turquoise Care, Medicaid program covers a variety of services provided in Medicaid-approved assisted living facilities for eligible seniors who meet the Nursing Facility Level of Care. However, the program does not cover the cost of room and board in these facilities.
What is the New Mexico Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For seniors needing long-term care through institutional Medicaid or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers in New Mexico, the individual monthly income limit for 2026 is $2,982. If an applicant's income exceeds this amount, a Miller Trust (Income Diversion Trust) is required to qualify.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in New Mexico?
New Mexico's Community Benefit program, which provides Home and Community-Based Services, operates with a Central Registry waiting list. This program is not an entitlement, and the number of participant slots is limited. The Human Services Department has stated a goal to eliminate the waitlist by the end of 2028.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in New Mexico?
New Mexico's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) may seek to recover the costs of Medicaid services by placing a lien on a deceased recipient's home. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or certain dependent relatives continue to reside in the home, and hardship provisions are available. [cite: 12 from previous search]
Can I be paid to care for my parent through New Mexico Medicaid?
Yes, New Mexico Medicaid's Community Benefit program offers options for paid family caregiving. Through the Self-Directed Community Benefit (SDCB) model, eligible seniors can hire and compensate family members, including adult children or spouses, to provide personal care and other approved in-home services. [cite: 9 from previous search]
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in New Mexico?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily covering acute medical care and short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation, not long-term custodial care. In contrast, New Mexico Medicaid (Centennial Care/Turquoise Care) is a joint state and federal program for low-income individuals that covers extensive long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services for eligible seniors. [cite: 8 from previous search]
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE NEW MEXICO
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: New Mexico Health Care Authority, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.