Key takeaways

  • If you live in New Mexico, you have access to Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Part D, and Medigap plans.
  • Medicare Advantage plans in New Mexico provide the same coverage as Original Medicare, with extra benefits in many cases, like wellness programs, dental, or vision care.
  • To be eligible for Medicare, you must be a U.S. resident age 65 or older or under 65 and living with certain conditions or receiving disability benefits.

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.

General standout: Snapshot of Medicare in New Mexico

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in New Mexico for the 2026 plan year:

  • 32.28% of people with a stand-alone Part D plan get Extra Help.
  • A total of 468,101 residents of New Mexico were enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium changed from $5.86 in 2025 to
  • $3.65 in 2026.
  • There are 73 Medicare Advantage plans available in New Mexico for 2026, compared with 66 plans in 2025.
  • All New Mexico residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 premium.
  • For 2026, 11 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are available in New Mexico, and the lowest monthly premium for a stand-alone Part D plan is $0.
  • As in most states, 10 different Medigap plans are offered in New Mexico for 2026.

Medicare is more than just one plan. Different plans and components cover different parts of your healthcare.

  • Original Medicare: This is managed by the federal government and includes two main parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Neither part covers prescription drugs.
  • Medicare Advantage (Part C): These plans are private plans that cover the same benefits as Original Medicare, and may also cover benefits like vision, dental, or prescription drugs. Some plans have limited provider networks, so confirm your doctors and facilities are in-network before enrolling.
  • Medicare Part D: This is another private, stand-alone plan option for prescription drug coverage. You’d enroll in Part D with Original Medicare or with a Part C plan without lumped-in drug coverage.
  • Medicare supplement (Medigap): These plans help cover the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, which might include copays and coinsurance. Medigap plans are standardized in most states, and you can choose among 10 plans to supplement Original Medicare. You cannot use Medigap with Medicare Advantage.

For all private Medicare options, availability varies by county, so check Medicare.gov for what’s available in your area.

If you live in New Mexico, you can qualify for Medicare at age 65 if you’re a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least 5 years. If you’re under 65 years, you may also qualify through disability or by living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

When choosing a plan, consider provider networks, costs, and quality ratings. You may be able to join a plan or modify your coverage during one or more of the following enrollment periods:

  • Initial enrollment: Enroll 3 months before to 3 months after the month of your 65th birthday.
  • Open enrollment: Join or change plans from October 15 to December 7.
  • Medicare Advantage open enrollment: Switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31.
  • Special enrollment period: Enroll after a life change, such as losing job-based coverage.

If you’re eligible for Medicare due to a disability, you’ll be automatically enrolled. If you’re eligible based on age, you’ll need to enroll yourself.

Keep in mind that if you delay enrolling in Medicare Part B or Part D without having other qualifying coverage, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty, which will increase your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare.

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 460,000 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 2026 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.