New Mexico Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO New Mexico
Turquoise Care (New Mexico's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new New Mexico resident applies fresh through New Mexico Health Care Authority. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on New Mexico's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving New Mexico
Leaving New Mexico ends your Turquoise Care (New Mexico's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with New Mexico Health Care Authority effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: New Mexico Health Care Authority ↗ (application page)
New Mexico Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Turquoise Care |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no NM-specific timeline verified |
New Mexico Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
New Mexico expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can qualify without fitting a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) adds a work condition for most of these adults from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): they must show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability). New applicants may have to show it for 1 to 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the month they apply.
| Household size | Monthly income limit | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| 2 people | $2,489 | $29,864 |
| 3 people | $3,142 | $37,702 |
| 4 people | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 people | $4,449 | $53,379 |
| 6 people | $5,102 | $61,217 |
| 7 people | $5,755 | $69,056 |
| 8 people | $6,408 | $76,894 |
| Each additional person | +$654 | +$7,839 |
- Computed as 138% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC), rounded up to the dollar. New Mexico's own chart controls, and states often switch to the new year's guidelines partway through the year — so the agency's chart may still show lower 2025 figures.
- The adult limit counts income under MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) rules. Children and pregnant people usually have higher limits; people 65+ or with a disability are assessed under different, non-MAGI rules that often include an asset test — ask the agency below.
Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for Medicaid in New Mexico
Apply with New Mexico Health Care Authority online at yes.nm.gov, which runs the program as Turquoise Care. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no NM-specific timeline verified.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in New Mexico for 2026?
For adults, 138% of the federal poverty level: about $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.
Can I keep New Mexico Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so New Mexico coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to New Mexico Health Care Authority and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.
How do I apply for Medicaid in New Mexico?
Apply with New Mexico Health Care Authority online at yes.nm.gov, which runs the program as Turquoise Care. Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); no NM-specific timeline verified.
Who runs Medicaid in New Mexico?
New Mexico Health Care Authority, which runs the program as Turquoise Care. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does New Mexico make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in New Mexico; eligibility is decided on New Mexico's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving New Mexico?
Contact New Mexico Health Care Authority (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving New Mexico
From New Mexico to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To New Mexico from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in New Mexico
- SNAP in New Mexico
- WIC in New Mexico
- Unemployment in New Mexico
- TANF in New Mexico
- Medicaid in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- NM Health Care Authority — Turquoise Care overview — accessed 2026-08-08
- YesNM benefits portal — accessed 2026-08-08