New Mexico Long-Term Care

Federal Partnership Program

In August of 2019 The State of New Mexico implemented the federal/state partnership long-term care insurance program that was established by the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). This gave the states the ability to set up long-term care partnership insurance policies in order for consumers to protect additional assets if they have a qualified policy in place.

The New Mexico Long-Term Care Partnership Program provides residents of the state with dollar-for-dollar asset protection when they purchase a qualified partnership qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policy.

Reciprocity

Most states have reciprocity with other states' long-term-care partnership programs including New Mexico. This means if you move from or to New Mexico your partnership asset protection follows you as well.

Medicaid

Long-Term Care Medicaid spend down is $2,000. A spouse’s minimum asset allowance is a minimum of $31,290 up to a maximum of one-half of countable assets up to $128,640.. Your spouse’s minimum monthly income allowance is $2,113.75. * The home equity limit is $595,000.

For more information about the Medicaid program visit www.medicaid.gov.

Rate Stability Rules

In addition, New Mexico consumers enjoy additional peace-of-mind as the state has adopted Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Stability Rules.  These rules, developed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, makes it much harder for an insurance company to get an approved rate increase.

Products Approved in New Mexico

A number of planning options are available. These products are approved in New Mexico for Long-Term Care planning: traditional long-term care policies, including partnership certified policies, limited-duration policies, and asset-based “hybrid” policies.

Tax Incentives

The State of New Mexico also offers state tax incentives but is limited to those taxpayers age 65 and older. Federal tax incentives are also available for all taxpayers of any age.

State Tax Credit

This allows taxpayers 65+, who are not dependents of another taxpayer, to claim a credit of $2,800 for medical care expenses. This includes LTC insurance premiums, paid for the taxpayer, spouse, or dependents if expenses equal $28,000 or more within a taxable year and if expenses are not reimbursed or otherwise compensated for.

Exemption

Taxpayers 65 and older are entitled to an exemption of $3,000 for medical care expenses, which include LTC insurance premiums if such expenses equal $28,000 or more within a taxable year and are unreimbursed or uncompensated.

_{*The federal government sets a new minimum and maximum amounts each year, but states can set their own minimum requirements at any level between the federal limits. This information is based on the best available sources.}