These days, when it comes to health insurance, it seems that most people want to talk about the ups and downs of the national policy debate, or maybe the costs and requirements of purchasing a plan, rather than focusing on the positive side of our current health coverage situation. I have been serving on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange, beWellnm, since 2013, and I can say unequivocally that guaranteed access to health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions, employment status, or income, has changed so many lives for the better.

This year, I learned of an elderly woman in Belen who served as a missionary overseas for her entire life, only to come back to the United States to find that she had Parkinson’s Disease. Unable to qualify for Medicare she felt helpless. It was only through beWellnm that she was able to take advantage of available subsidies and find an affordable plan that could help her pay for medical expenses.

BeWellnm is also helping employers to cover their employees. In Los Alamos, there is a non-profit, that now not only offers their employees’ health insurance, but pays 50 percent of the premiums each month. They were committed to keeping their staff healthy, and beWellnm was able to help them do that.

These real-life stories are incredibly encouraging and do well to demonstrate the impact that health insurance can have on individuals and small businesses in New Mexico. The number of stories like this continues to grow as more New Mexicans enroll in health insurance. In fact, more New Mexicans than ever before are making sure that once they enroll in a plan, they stay in the plan. Fewer and fewer people are dropping off of their health insurance plan and that’s a very good sign. Not only are they staying in their plan, but people are also taking the opportunity to enroll when they qualify outside of open enrollment!

Our challenge still remains to educate New Mexicans not only about the availability and subsidies for the plans, but also of the real value of having them.

In a world where one trip to the emergency room can bankrupt a family, we simply cannot turn our backs on those New Mexicans who remain uninsured. It’s extremely important for everyone in our state to know that beWellnm could be an option for them. If they aren’t covered under an employer’s plan or their spouses plan, and if they don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, they can find and enroll in an affordable plan on beWellnm to fit their needs. It’s also important to note that in some cases, individuals and families can qualify for subsidies to help them pay their monthly premiums.

Open enrollment for next year won’t start until November, but New Mexicans that have experienced a life-changing event, like a new job or change in income, may qualify for a special enrollment right away.

BeWellnm has options for small businesses too! In fact, New Mexico’s Small Business marketplace is ranked third in the nation by the Government Accountability Office. Through beWellnm, small businesses can qualify for a tax credit worth up to 50 percent of their contributions to their employees’ premiums. Trust me, your employees and your bottom line will thank you.

At beWellnm, we want to make sure everyone knows what their options are and that every New Mexican knows they have access to an affordable health plan. You never know what’s around the corner, but beWellnm is here to help you prepare.

David Shaw
Chair, beWellnm Board of Directors
1600 N Main Ave
Lovington, New Mexico 88260

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