SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced a significant extension of Medicaid coverage for seniors receiving long-term care and individuals with disabilities. This move, approved at the federal level, means that those enrolled in various Medicaid waiver programs will have their coverage extended for an additional 12 months.
'We are committed to reducing barriers to health care services for our most vulnerable Medicaid members,' said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Human Services Department. 'By securing this federal flexibility, we aim to ensure that every eligible individual receives the health care they need.'
This federal flexibility applies to Medicaid waiver programs, including the Community Benefit, Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Mi Via Waiver, Supports Waiver, and the Medically Fragile Waiver. This extension also applies to Medicaid members living in intermediate care facilities and nursing homes.
Eligible Medicaid members include individuals whose Medicaid renewals were due after April 1, 2023, and have not yet been processed by HSD. They must currently have a Level of Care on file with the Medicaid program, which outlines their need for full-time care and supervision, including medical and non-medical assistance typically provided in long-term care facilities.
Medicaid coverage for these members will automatically be extended for 12 months from their last renewal due date. HSD will notify them by mail about the extension of their coverage. This coverage extension does not include Medicaid members whose coverage ended because they did not return renewal packets or those who failed to provide required documentation.