New Mexico Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

New Mexico Marketplace: beWellnm

New Mexico uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called beWellnm. New Mexico residents enroll at beWellnm — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in New Mexico: Centennial Care

New Mexico expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Centennial Care covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

New Mexico Marketplace Affordability Program (MAP) — enacted HB 2 (2025 special session) + HB 4 (2026 session). 100% replacement of lost enhanced PTC for ≤400% FPL; premium capped at 8.5% of income for >400% FPL via §1332 waiver. Effectively eliminates the cliff for NM residents through June 30, 2027.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (New Mexico)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$380$431$485$678$1,031

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (New Mexico)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size12345
400% FPL cliff$62,600$84,600$106,600$128,600$150,600

Key Facts: New Mexico ACA

New Mexico has enacted the most aggressive ACA subsidy backfill of any state for 2026. The Marketplace Affordability Program (MAP) — created by HB 2 during a 2025 special legislative session and extended through HB 4 in the 2026 regular session — eliminates the 400% FPL subsidy cliff for New Mexico residents through June 30, 2027.

As beWellnm states: 'people at nearly every income level will be eligible for these subsidies through June 30, 2027 – meaning no disruptions in coverage or "cliffs" for financial assistance.' The MAP operates on two tiers: (1) For households at or below 400% FPL ($62,600 for HH=1), the MAP provides 100% replacement of the expired ARPA-enhanced federal PTCs, ensuring premiums remain as affordable as they were under the 2021-2025 enhanced subsidy regime. (2) For households above 400% FPL — where the federal PTC drops to zero — the MAP caps premium contributions at 8.5% of household income via a §1332 state innovation waiver, effectively extending subsidy eligibility to all income levels.

beWellnm (bewellnm.com) is the state-based marketplace where New Mexico residents must enroll to access both federal PTCs and the MAP. Centennial Care is New Mexico's Medicaid program, covering adults to 138% FPL.

Calculate your New Mexico ACA cliff

Inputs default to New Mexico; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Member ages
self

Coverage

Income

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC
$840
$70 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff
$12,600
until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

  1. beWellnm — Federal Changes / Marketplace Affordability Program
    “people at nearly every income level will be eligible for these subsidies through June 30, 2027 – meaning no disruptions in coverage or "cliffs" for financial assistance.”
  2. healthinsurance.org — New Mexico: full federal subsidy backfill
    “Although several other states offer state-funded subsidies, New Mexico is the only one that was able to fully backfill the loss of federal subsidies for 2026.”

FAQ — New Mexico ACA Cliff

Does New Mexico have a subsidy cliff in 2026?
No — New Mexico has effectively eliminated the 400% FPL subsidy cliff through June 30, 2027 via the Marketplace Affordability Program (MAP). For households at or below 400% FPL ($62,600 for HH=1), MAP provides 100% replacement of the expired enhanced federal PTC. For households above 400% FPL, MAP caps premium contributions at 8.5% of household income — the same affordability standard used in ACA §36B calculations.
What is New Mexico's Marketplace Affordability Program (MAP)?
The Marketplace Affordability Program (MAP) is New Mexico's state subsidy backfill enacted via HB 2 (2025 special session) and HB 4 (2026 regular session). It provides: (1) 100% replacement of expired ARPA-enhanced federal PTCs for households at or below 400% FPL; (2) a premium cap of 8.5% of income for households above 400% FPL via a §1332 state innovation waiver. The MAP runs through June 30, 2027.
What is beWellnm?
beWellnm (bewellnm.com) is New Mexico's state-based marketplace (SBM) — the only place New Mexico residents can access federal Premium Tax Credits and the state Marketplace Affordability Program. Open enrollment typically runs November 1 through January 15, with extended enrollment available for special circumstances.
What is Centennial Care?
Centennial Care is New Mexico's Medicaid program, covering adults with income up to 138% FPL. New Mexico expanded Medicaid in 2014. Centennial Care uses managed care organizations (MCOs) to deliver services. Apply at yes.nm.gov year-round.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses beWellnm (bewellnm.com) for marketplace enrollment. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Centennial Care (Medicaid) accepts applications year-round at yes.nm.gov for adults at or below 138% FPL.
How is SLCSP calculated for New Mexico?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for New Mexico are: Age 21: $380/mo, Age 30: $431/mo, Age 40: $485/mo, Age 50: $678/mo, Age 60: $1,031/mo. Under the MAP, your actual out-of-pocket premium is capped at 8.5% of income regardless of SLCSP, so exact SLCSP matters less for New Mexico residents than for those in other states.
Does the New Mexico MAP extend beyond June 2027?
As of the 2026 legislative session, the MAP is authorized through June 30, 2027. Whether the New Mexico Legislature will extend or make the MAP permanent beyond that date depends on future appropriations and legislative action. New Mexico residents should monitor beWellnm.com for updates on program continuation.

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