Which Turquoise Care Plan Should You Choose in New Mexico?
If you qualify for New Mexico Medicaid, you don't just get "Medicaid" — you pick one of four managed-care health plans that actually delivers your coverage. That choice decides which doctors are in network, what extra benefits you get, and how easily you can get a ride to an appointment. And if you're searching for Centennial Care, note the name changed: New Mexico renamed its Medicaid program Turquoise Care on July 1, 2024. Same program, new name — and a new lineup of plans.
The short version: Turquoise Care has four plans — Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, Presbyterian, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. The core medical benefits are the same across all four (that's set by the state). They differ on provider networks and extra "value-added" perks like transportation, over-the-counter allowances, and pregnancy rewards. You can switch plans in your first 90 days for any reason.
First: Centennial Care is now Turquoise Care
On July 1, 2024, New Mexico replaced Centennial Care (and Centennial Care 2.0) with Turquoise Care. At the same time, the state's Medicaid agency changed too — the old Human Services Department became the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA). If you're checking your eligibility or income limits first, start with our New Mexico Medicaid eligibility guide, then come back here to choose a plan.
The plan lineup changed with the rename. Western Sky Community Care left the program, and Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare joined, alongside the two plans that stayed — Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico and Presbyterian. So today there are four.
The four Turquoise Care plans at a glance
Every plan covers the same core Medicaid benefits: doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, dental, vision, and long-term care and community benefits. Where they compete is on network size and the extras. Here's the shape of it:
| Plan | Stands out for |
|---|---|
| Presbyterian Health Plan | The largest statewide network (~17,000 providers across 500+ locations), a dedicated Native American team, and rich pregnancy/well-baby reward programs. Non-Native children in state custody are auto-assigned here. |
| Molina Healthcare | The deepest everyday extras: an over-the-counter allowance, home-delivered meals, unlimited non-emergency medical rides (plus rides to grocery stores and food banks), enhanced dental, and a combined-benefit debit card. |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico | Traditional-healing benefits for Native American members, a youth-activities benefit for kids under 18, and 24/7 virtual health access. |
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | A per-member annual benefit allowance, round-trip transportation to doctor/pharmacy visits and food pantries, and its Healthy First Steps pregnancy program; available in all 33 counties. |
Value-added benefits change every year and each plan sets its own. Treat this as a starting point and confirm the current details directly with the plan and the New Mexico Health Care Authority before you decide.
How to choose — by your situation
The right plan depends less on "which is best" and more on "which fits your life." A few common cases:
You're a Native American member
You have an extra option most members don't: you can enroll in a managed-care plan or choose fee-for-service and use Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Indian (I/T/U) facilities. If you want a plan, Presbyterian (dedicated Native American team, I/T/U access) and BCBS-NM (traditional-healing benefit) both lean into this. Presbyterian offers up to $300/year for traditional medicine or ceremonial use.
You're pregnant or have a new baby
All four have maternity support, but the reward structures differ: Presbyterian's Pregnancy Passport and Baby Bonus pay you for attending prenatal and well-baby visits; Molina gives gift cards toward car seats, diapers, and formula; UnitedHealthcare's Healthy First Steps includes no-cost baby supplies. If appointment-completion rewards would help you, Presbyterian and Molina are worth a close look.
You live rurally or need help getting to appointments
Network reach matters most here. UnitedHealthcare advertises coverage in all 33 counties with rural health clinic and FQHC support, and Presbyterian's network is the largest in the state. If transportation is your real barrier, Molina is the standout — unlimited non-emergency medical rides plus trips to grocery stores, food banks, and job training.
You want the most everyday extras
Molina packs the most day-to-day value: an OTC allowance every quarter, home-delivered meals after a hospital stay or for chronic conditions, enhanced dental up to $300/year, and home supports. UnitedHealthcare's annual benefit allowance is the other one to compare here.
Don't choose on perks alone. The single most important check is whether your current doctors, specialists, and preferred hospital are in a plan's network. Use each plan's online provider directory (or call them) before you pick — a great OTC benefit doesn't help if your doctor isn't covered.
How to pick or switch your plan
You choose a plan when you enroll. If you don't pick one, the state auto-assigns you — so it's worth choosing on purpose.
- Your first 90 days: you can change plans for any reason during the first three months after you're enrolled. This is your easy window.
- After 90 days: you can generally only switch "for cause" (specific reasons defined in state rule), by submitting Form MAD776 or a written request to the HCA.
- Where to do it: online at YES.NM.GOV, or by calling the HCA Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.
- Native American members can move between managed care and fee-for-service.
Not sure you qualify yet?
Check New Mexico's 2026 Medicaid income limits and see whether you're eligible before you pick a plan.
See NM eligibility & income limitsOne recent change worth knowing
New Mexico launched a new Medicaid claims system, "Turquoise Claims," on March 23, 2026, and providers must be registered with the HCA by July 1, 2026 to bill for Turquoise Care. This is mostly a behind-the-scenes provider change, but if a clinic tells you they're "not set up for Turquoise Care yet," that's the reason — and a good prompt to confirm your provider is active on your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turquoise Care the same as Centennial Care?
Yes. Turquoise Care replaced Centennial Care on July 1, 2024. It's New Mexico's Medicaid managed-care program — just under a new name, a new agency (the Health Care Authority), and an updated set of four health plans.
Which Turquoise Care plan is best?
There's no single "best" — the core medical benefits are identical because the state sets them. Presbyterian has the largest network, Molina has the richest everyday extras and transportation, UnitedHealthcare covers all 33 counties, and BCBS-NM has strong Native American and youth benefits. The best plan for you is the one your doctors accept and whose extras match your needs.
Can I switch Turquoise Care plans?
Yes. You can change for any reason in your first 90 days of enrollment. After that, you can switch "for cause" using Form MAD776 or a written request to the HCA. Do it at YES.NM.GOV or by calling 1-800-283-4465.
What happened to Western Sky Community Care?
Western Sky exited New Mexico Medicaid when Turquoise Care launched in 2024. Members were moved to one of the remaining plans. Molina and UnitedHealthcare joined at the same time.
SubsidyCalc is an independent data project, not a health plan, broker, or government agency. This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or insurance advice. Plan benefits and rules change — confirm current details with each plan and the New Mexico Health Care Authority before enrolling.