New Mexico residents eligible for Medicare can choose from Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Medicare supplement plans can provide additional coverage.

Medicare New Mexico offers healthcare coverage to people age 65 and older. There are several types of plans and insurance providers, so thoroughly research your options before signing up for Medicare New Mexico.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in New Mexico for the 2025 plan year:

  • A total of 459,784 residents of New Mexico are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium decreased in New Mexico compared to last year from
  • $13.63 in 2024 to $5.56 in 2025.
  • 62 Medicare Advantage plans are available in New Mexico for 2025, compared to 66 plans in 2024.
  • All New Mexico residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.

There are four main types of Medicare plans in New Mexico, and understanding each one will help you make an informed decision about your healthcare needs. Each type offers different coverage options, from basic to comprehensive.

Original Medicare

Also known as Part A and Part B, Original Medicare New Mexico provides basic healthcare coverage to people 65 and older across the United States. If you qualify for Social Security benefits, you may already be enrolled in Part A and may qualify for premium-free coverage.

Original Medicare coverage includes:

Medicare Advantage in New Mexico

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in New Mexico give you coverage options at all premium levels.

These all-in-one plans include all the services that Original Medicare covers but may also provide drug coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans in New Mexico also include additional coverage for health and wellness programs, preventive health, dental care, or vision needs.

Medicare Advantage plan carriers in New Mexico include:

Not all carriers provide insurance in all counties, so check the location requirements of each provider and use your zip code when searching to ensure you’re only looking at plans that are available in your county.

Medicare supplement plans in New Mexico

Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans are available through private insurance carriers in New Mexico. These plans help cover some of the costs of original Medicare, like copays and coinsurance.

Many insurance companies offer Medigap plans in New Mexico. Some of the companies offering Medigap plans throughout the state include:

These plans are only available with Original Medicare. You may not purchase both a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan.

Most people age 65 and older are eligible for Medicare in New Mexico. To be eligible, you must:

  • be age 65 or older
  • be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States for the past 5 or more years

You may also qualify for Medicare in New Mexico if you are under 65 and:

When can I enroll in Medicare New Mexico plans?

Medicare has specific enrollment periods. These include:

  • Initial enrollment period (around your 65th birthday): You can join Medicare Part A and B and add Part D coverage from 3 months before to 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you receive Social Security benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Part A and B when you turn 65. You’ll need to add Part D coverage if you don’t have drug coverage from another source like an employer, the VA, your union, or another source.
  • Open enrollment period (January 1 to March 31): You can join Original Medicare during this time (Part A and B) and change or drop Medicare Advantage plans with Part D coverage during this time.
  • Part D enrollment (April 1 to June 30): During this time frame, if you never enrolled in a Part D plan when you joined Medicare Part A and B, you can join one time. To make plan changes or to drop Part D after the first time, you must wait for the open enrollment period in October.
  • Annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7): This is open enrollment for Medicare Parts C & D. You can join, change, or drop a plan during this time each year. New benefits start in January. Remember, Medicare adds a1 percent penalty for as long as you have Medicare if you don’t have drug coverage and don’t join a Part D plan within 63 days of your eligibility period. Even with Medicare Advantage plans, you need a Part D plan added.
  • Special enrollment period: You don’t have to join Medicare at 65 if you have coverage from your employer or other sources. The coverage needs to be at least as good as Original Medicare. Once that coverage stops, you have 8 months to enroll in Medicare or face premium penalties. This includes Part D coverage.

Tips for enrolling in Medicare in New Mexico

With so many Medicare plan options in New Mexico, finding the right plan for your health needs and budget can take some time. The following tips may help you evaluate your plan options:

  1. Find out if your preferred doctor or pharmacy is covered: Each Medicare Part D and Advantage Plan carrier works with a set number of network-approved doctors and pharmacies. Call your doctor’s office to find out what carriers they work with, and make sure you’re only considering plans that will cover your doctor’s appointments.
  2. Make a complete list of your current medications and prescriptions: Each plan has a list of drugs covered, so compare that list against your own and only opt for a plan that will provide you with appropriate drug coverage.
  3. Compare ratings: To find out what others have thought about each plan, compare its star ratings to see which performs better. CMS uses a 1-to-5-star rating system, where a 4 or 5 indicates that people who were enrolled in the plan the previous year had good experiences.

If you need advice on how to choose a plan or to clarify your eligibility or enrollment dates, you can contact any of the following state organizations for help:

More than 450,000 New Mexico residents are enrolled in Medicare.

Several private insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans throughout the state.

Overall, monthly premium costs have decreased for 2025 Medicare Advantage plans in New Mexico.

There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in New Mexico and are looking for additional coverage.