DEMING — New Mexico has reached a record high in Affordable Care Act enrollment for the third year in a row, even as federal subsidy changes and rising insurance costs continue to affect consumers statewide. With two weeks remaining in the open enrollment period, more than 80,400 New Mexicans have already signed up for medical or dental coverage for 2026 through the state’s health insurance marketplace, BeWell.
According to a story in the Albuquerque Journal, enrollment has already surpassed last year’s total of nearly 79,000 customers, marking an increase of about 2 percent. BeWell Chief Experience Officer Alex Sanchez said the numbers reflect strong demand for affordable coverage, even amid uncertainty at the federal level.
State lawmakers moved quickly this fall to address the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits that had helped reduce premiums for many middle-income households. During an October emergency legislative session, lawmakers approved House Bill 2, using $17 million from New Mexico’s Health Care Affordability Fund to offset the loss of federal subsidies for one year. The bill received bipartisan support.
House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said approximately 6,500 New Mexicans who previously received federal premium assistance will now have that support covered by the state. She said the goal was to keep marketplace insurance within reach for families across New Mexico.
Despite the state’s intervention, premiums are still expected to rise sharply. Data from the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance shows average ACA premiums in New Mexico will increase by 35.7 percent in 2026, among the highest rates in the nation. Officials cited rising medical and prescription drug costs, along with continued high demand for health care services, as primary drivers.
Marketplace data indicate that about 43 percent of enrollees will still pay $10 or less per month for coverage, with the average net premium around $147 per month. The ACA marketplace primarily serves middle-class households, including small business owners, self-employed workers, and employees without job-based coverage.
Open enrollment continues through January 15, with coverage beginning February 1. BeWell advisers are also available to help residents determine eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare and guide them through enrollment options.