These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of New Mexico. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, New Mexico has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in New Mexico
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
New Mexico law specifies the minimum at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
New Mexico law specifies the minimum at 240 days from the first post-discharge bill.
Does the law specify that having insurance disqualifies a patient for charity care?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from denying patients charity care because they are insured.
Does the law specify that patients must be residents to be eligible for charity care?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from denying patients charity care because of their residency.
Does the law specify that patients must be US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents to be eligible for charity care?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from denying patients charity care because of their immigration status.
Does the law specify that patients must owe a minimum bill amount in order to be eligible for charity care?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law says that non-profit hospitals may not require a minimum bill amount for a patient to qualify for charity care. All emergency and medically necessary care conducted at a non-profit hospital is eligible for charity care.
How the law applies to copays in New Mexico
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from refusing to apply charity care to any part of any bill for emergency or medically necessary care.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
New Mexico law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from refusing to apply charity care to any part of any bill for emergency or medically necessary care.
Collections laws related to charity care in New Mexico
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
New Mexico law explicitly states that a hospital may not send an account to collections if the patient is eligible for charity care.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in New Mexico
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
New Mexico law states that Approval lasts for 24 months.