New Mexico is planning several changes to its Medicaid program, focused on equity and whole-person care.
In a Dec. 16 news release, the New Mexico human services department said it had applied for a renewal of the federal section 1115 waiver that allows it to operate experimental and pilot Medicaid projects. The state proposed 16 new benefit and delivery system changes designed to improve outcomes.
Here are four proposals to note:
- Adding continuous coverage up to age 6. Other states, including Oregon, California and Washington, have proposed similar policies.
- Expanding home visits, including for pregnancy care, and home support after hospitalization or emergency room visits.
- Expanding access to housing and providing stable housing to individuals at risk of adverse health outcomes. In October, CMS approved a proposal from Arizona to test a program addressing housing insecurity among Medicaid recipients.
- Creating a "first of its kind" traditional healing benefit for Native American communities.
Read more about the state's proposals here.