Medicaid appeals in New Mexico: hearing deadline and keeping benefits
New Mexico Medicaid (Turquoise Care managed care): you have 90 days to ask for a fair hearing.
If you already get the benefit, ask to continue it within 10 calendar days of the mailing of the notice of action (for managed care, ask your plan within 10 calendar days of its notice, or before the date the notice says the benefit will end).
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Appeal deadlines are strict. If you are near a deadline or your care is urgent, call free help today.
Medicaid (New Mexico Medicaid (Turquoise Care managed care)) denials in New Mexico
- Medicaid agency
New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA), Medical Assistance Division and Income Support Division
- Who holds the hearing
HCA Office of Fair Hearings
- Hearing deadline
90 days
The date of the notice of action
- How to ask for a hearing
- Email: HCA-FairHearings@hca.nm.gov
- Fax: (505) 476-6215
- Mail: Health Care Authority, Attn: Office of Fair Hearings, PO Box 2348, Santa Fe, NM 87504
- In person: Turn it in at any local Income Support Division (ISD) office and ask staff to email it to the Office of Fair Hearings
- Form: HCA Fair Hearing Request form (2024)
- Mail address
Health Care Authority, Attn: Office of Fair Hearings, PO Box 2348, Santa Fe, NM 87504
- What to include
Your name, mailing address and case number; the agency or plan that took the action and the date of the notice (attach a copy if you have it); the program and issue; why you think the action is wrong; whether you want to keep your benefits while you wait; and your signature. Include proof if someone represents you.
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
If you already get the benefit, ask to continue it within 10 calendar days of the mailing of the notice of action (for managed care, ask your plan within 10 calendar days of its notice, or before the date the notice says the benefit will end). You may have to repay continued benefits if you lose.
Law: 8.352.2.12(C)(2), 8.352.2.18 NMAC; 8.308.15.15 NMAC; 8.352.2 NMAC; HCA Fair Hearing Request form (2024)
- When the hearing is held
The hearing must be concluded within 90 calendar days of your request unless you agree to extend it (by up to 30 more days). Hearings are usually by phone.
Law: 8.352.2.12(C)(4), 8.352.2.13 NMAC; 8.352.2 NMAC; HCA Fair Hearing Request form (2024)
- Faster (expedited) hearing
Any party can ask in writing for an expedited hearing about health, safety or service availability, explaining in detail why; the judge decides whether to grant it.
Law: 8.352.2 NMAC; HCA Fair Hearing Request form (2024)
Medicaid health plan (managed care) in New Mexico
- Appeal to the plan first
Appeal to your Turquoise Care managed care organization (MCO) within 60 calendar days of the notice, orally or in writing (an oral request must be followed in writing within 13 calendar days). The MCO decides within 30 calendar days, or within 72 hours for an expedited appeal; either can be extended up to 14 days. To keep a current benefit, appeal and ask to continue it within 10 calendar days of the mailing of the MCO's notice. If you disagree with the MCO's final decision, ask the HCA Office of Fair Hearings for a standard hearing within 90 days of the decision letter, or for an expedited hearing within 30 calendar days.
- Then a state hearing
90 days
The date of the plan's appeal final decision letter
Law: 8.308.15.13-8.308.15.16 NMAC
Write my appeal: free letters
Sources
The official sources for New Mexico are listed on the New Mexico page.