BCBS New Mexico Medicaid 2027: Turquoise Care Benefits & How to Enroll

Reviewed November 9, 2026. BCBS New Mexico Medicaid is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBSNM) health plan in Turquoise Care, the state’s Medicaid managed care program that began on July 1, 2024. BCBSNM is one of four managed care organizations (MCOs) New Mexico Medicaid members can choose. You don’t apply to BCBSNM directly: you apply for Medicaid through the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) at yes.nm.gov or 1-800-283-4465, then pick BCBSNM as your health plan.

Quick answer:

• Program: Turquoise Care (New Mexico Medicaid managed care), run by the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
• BCBSNM’s role: one of four Turquoise Care MCOs, alongside Molina Healthcare, Presbyterian Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
• BCBSNM Turquoise Care Member Services: 1-866-689-1523 (TTY 711), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2026 Member Handbook).
• Apply or choose a plan: yes.nm.gov or the HCA Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.
• Extras: BCBSNM offers value-added services such as home meal delivery after a hospital or facility discharge and $50 for youth activities. It does not list a monthly OTC allowance card for Turquoise Care.

What BCBS New Mexico Medicaid is in 2027

New Mexico used to call its Medicaid managed care program Centennial Care. HCA replaced it with Turquoise Care on July 1, 2024. Most Medicaid members in New Mexico get their benefits through a Turquoise Care MCO. Native American members may choose an MCO or stay in Fee-for-Service Medicaid, and can opt out of managed care at any time unless they receive long-term care services.

HCA says all four MCOs cover the same core physical health, behavioral health and long-term services and supports. What differs between them is their provider network, care coordination and the extra “value-added services” each plan chooses to offer. Children in state custody are enrolled in Presbyterian Health Plan.

Source: HCA: Turquoise Care Health Plans. For a closer look at one of the other plans, see our guide to how Molina Medicaid plans work.

What BCBSNM Turquoise Care covers

As a Turquoise Care MCO, BCBSNM covers the Medicaid benefits HCA requires. Its 2026 Turquoise Care Member Handbook, which BCBSNM says is updated every year, describes:

• Physical health care, including primary care, specialists, hospital and emergency care, and prescription drugs.
• Behavioral health care. For a mental health crisis or emergency, the handbook says to call 988.
• Long-term services and supports for members who qualify.
• Care coordination: 1-877-232-5518, then option 3.
• A 24/7 Nurseline: 1-877-213-2567.
• Non-emergency medical transportation through MTM Health: reservations at 1-866-913-4342, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Book at least three working days ahead. After-hours Ride Assist: 1-866-418-9829, 24 hours a day.

If you also have Medicare, the handbook explains that Medicare is your primary insurance and Turquoise Care is secondary, and you can keep your Medicare primary care provider.

Food and meals (2026)

The 2026 BCBSNM Turquoise Care Member Handbook describes a “Food is Medicine” benefit for pregnant members with diabetes. It provides home-delivered, medically tailored meals designed by a registered dietitian nutritionist (up to two meals a day) or grocery boxes. Coverage can last up to 11 months and doesn’t extend beyond two months postpartum. The handbook also notes that Community Social Services can connect members with food pantries and programs such as SNAP.

Separately, BCBSNM’s value-added services list includes home meal delivery for members who may qualify after a discharge from an inpatient or long-term care facility.

BCBSNM Turquoise Care value-added services

Value-added services are extras each MCO chooses to offer beyond what Medicaid covers. BCBSNM’s current Turquoise Care value-added services list (the flyer posted on bcbsnm.com, which does not show a plan year) includes:

Value-added services can change each year, and many have eligibility rules or require you to be in Care Coordination. HCA publishes a side-by-side comparison of all four MCOs’ value-added services for January to December 2026 (form MAD 906, revised May 1, 2026). A 2027 comparison had not been posted when we reviewed this page. Call BCBSNM Member Services at 1-866-689-1523 to confirm what you qualify for.

Is there a BCBS New Mexico Medicaid OTC card?

We did not find a monthly over-the-counter (OTC) allowance card in BCBSNM’s Turquoise Care value-added services list or in HCA’s 2026 value-added services comparison. The only OTC item in HCA’s 2026 comparison is OTC pregnancy tests, listed under new mother and baby supplies. OTC allowance cards are more common in Medicare Advantage dual-eligible plans. Our guide to Medicaid OTC benefits by plan explains how these allowances usually work.

Turquoise Rewards

HCA’s member rewards program, formerly Centennial Rewards, is now called Turquoise Rewards. HCA lists it separately from the MCOs, with a phone number of 1-877-806-8964 (TTY 1-844-488-9722).

Who qualifies for New Mexico Medicaid

HCA’s Income Support Division decides who is eligible. Its eligibility pamphlet (updated July 2026) lists these income limits for common groups:

These are monthly amounts from the July 2026 pamphlet. Children ages 0-5 qualify up to 200% FPL ($2,660 a month for a household of one), and higher-income children may qualify for CHIP. Seniors and people with disabilities use different rules, often including asset limits. HCA updates these figures each year, so check the latest HCA eligibility pamphlet before you apply.

How to apply and choose BCBSNM

HCA lists four ways to apply for New Mexico Medicaid:

1. Online at yes.nm.gov (YesNM).
2. By phone through the Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
3. In person at an Income Support Division field office, generally open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (a few offices have shorter hours).
4. By mail using the downloadable application on HCA’s website.

You can choose an MCO when you apply, according to the BCBSNM handbook. HCA says you can select a plan at yes.nm.gov, by calling 1-800-283-4465 or by mail. If you don’t choose, you are assigned to one automatically. After you apply, you can use “Check My Benefits” on yes.nm.gov to see your case, or call HCA’s 24/7 ISD information line at 1-855-309-3766. Our guide on how to check your Medicaid status covers this in more detail, and our Medicaid portal sign-in guide explains state login accounts.

Changing your MCO

• First three months: the 2026 BCBSNM handbook says you can choose a new MCO during the first three months after your Turquoise Care effective date.
• At renewal: after that, you can change at your next 12-month re-enrollment with HCA.
• For cause, at other times: HCA allows a change outside the annual period for reasons such as poor quality of care or lack of access to covered benefits or experienced providers. Complete form MAD 776 and mail it to New Mexico Health Care Authority, Medical Assistance Division, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, NM 87504, or call 1-800-283-4465.

Renewing BCBS New Mexico Medicaid

The 2026 BCBSNM handbook says most members must renew Medicaid every 12 months. Renewal is handled by HCA, not BCBSNM. Keep your address current on yes.nm.gov, watch for renewal notices and respond by the deadline. You can renew through yes.nm.gov, your local ISD office or the Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465. Our general guide to Medicaid renewal and how to keep coverage explains what happens if you miss a deadline.

If you have Medicare too: BCBSNM Dual Care plans

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid may also be able to join a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). BCBSNM offers Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Dual Care℠ plans for people eligible for both programs, and posts 2027 and 2026 plan documents on its D-SNP Important Plan Information page. Benefits, extras and service areas vary by plan and county, so compare 2027 options with the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov and read each plan’s 2027 Evidence of Coverage before enrolling. Annual Enrollment for 2027 Medicare plans runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Does BCBS of New Mexico take Medicaid?

Yes. BCBSNM is one of four Turquoise Care MCOs that manage New Mexico Medicaid benefits. Individual doctors choose which networks they join, so check BCBSNM’s provider finder or call Member Services.

What is the BCBS New Mexico Medicaid phone number?

BCBSNM Turquoise Care Member Services is 1-866-689-1523 (TTY 711), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For eligibility, applications and renewals, call HCA’s Consolidated Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.

Does BCBSNM Turquoise Care give a free food or OTC card?

We found no monthly food or OTC allowance card in BCBSNM’s Turquoise Care materials. The 2026 handbook covers medically tailored meals or grocery boxes for pregnant members with diabetes, and BCBSNM’s value-added services include home meal delivery after certain discharges.

How do I switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield Turquoise Care?

Choose BCBSNM when you apply or during your first three months, or at your annual renewal. At other times you need a reason (“for cause”) and form MAD 776. Call 1-800-283-4465 for help.

When did Turquoise Care start?

July 1, 2024. It replaced Centennial Care as New Mexico’s Medicaid managed care program.

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the New Mexico Health Care Authority, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico or any U.S. government agency.

Sources

• HCA: Turquoise Care overview
• HCA: Turquoise Care health plans and phone numbers
• HCA: How to switch MCOs
• HCA: Apply for benefits
• HCA: Medicaid eligibility pamphlet (updated July 2026)
• HCA: 2026 Turquoise Care MCO value-added services comparison (MAD 906)
• BCBSNM: 2026 Turquoise Care Member Handbook
• BCBSNM: Turquoise Care value-added services
• BCBSNM: D-SNP important plan information

Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. It may not be accurate, complete, or up-to-date and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or other professional advice. Any actions or decisions taken based on this information are the sole responsibility of the user. Medicare-365 and/or  BL Monahan Inc expressly disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, or harm that may result from reliance on this information. Please note that this article may contain affiliate endorsements and advertisements. The inclusion of such does not indicate an endorsement or approval of the products or services linked. Medicare-365 and/or  BL Monahan Inc does not accept responsibility for the content, accuracy, or opinions expressed on any linked website. When you engage with these links and decide to make a purchase, we may receive a percentage of the sale. This affiliate commission does not influence the price you pay, and we disclaim any responsibility for the products or services you purchase through these links.